World Cup 2018 power rankings
By James Dudko
9. Mexico
England may not have the most inventive midfield at the tournament, but creativity won’t be a problem for Mexico. El Tri have more than one artist in the middle able to fashion chances and manufacture goals.
Andres Guardado is arguably the most talented. The 31-year-old Real Betis ace reads the game brilliantly from the base of midfield and has an enviable range of passing.
Hector Herrera is another playmaker who sees where chances develop and knows how to release runners. Jonathan and Giovani dos Santos are also neat and astute with the ball.
It will be their job to keep the lines of supply open to ex-Arsenal attacker Carlos Vela and West Ham striker Javier Hernandez. Vela’s pace and flair can conjure magic in any match, while Hernandez’s instincts in the box are keener than most.
One ace up the sleeve of coach Juan Carlos Osorio is winger Hirving Lozano. The precocious 22-year-old was the jewel in the crown of PSV’s title-winning team in the Eredivisie.
Lozano scored 19 goals and played eight assists for Rood-witten. He’s a dynamic attacker primed to let a bigger audience in on his talents this summer.
Mexico won’t get past Germany in Group F, but it would be a shock if this squad wasn’t in the knockout phase.