The evolution of Raul Jimenez

1. Club America striker Raul Jimenez has evolved from a young promising star with lots of potential to a big time reality. It is this reality which has a team like FC Porto in Portugal extremely interested in signing the Olympic Gold Medalist as well as the reason why Club America will do whatever it takes to hold on to this player for as long as possible.
   
   Jimenez came up through the America youth system. He was part of a youth project in America led by now-assistant Javier Aguirre and club legend Alfredo “Captain Fury” Tena. Tena restructured the America youth system and led the team to four consecutive U-20 championships. Although the players of this generation were all highly successful at the youth level, not many got an opportunity in the high profile first team.
   
   One of the few players to receive such a golden opportunity, and maybe the only one of those precious few to actually take advantage, was Raul Jimenez.
   
   Jimenez made his debut in 2011 at the age of 20. He overshadowed other young strikers who were part of the 4-peat U-20 champions like Antonio Lopez and Daniel Marquez. He started as a supporting striker to big-time names like Christian “Chucho” Benitez. Jimenez played and mastered the role of supporting striker to perfection, helping his teammate reach a Golden Boot as well as the league championship.
   
   His performances at youth level also got him a place in various youth National Teams with El Tri. Jimenez was part of the Mexican U-20 squad that reached 3rd place in the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He was also part of the U-23 team that won the Toulon Tournament in France a year later. His performance in the yearly French tournament won him a spot in the Olympic team that went to the London games, edging out Tigres striker Alan Pulido.
   
   During the Olympics Jimenez was once again relegated to a supporting role, as veteran strikers Oribe Peralta and Giovani Dos Santos were the focal point of that historic Mexican team that conquered the Olympics.
   
   Jimenez remained at the club to take over the void that Chucho Benitez had left when other players like Vicente Matias Vuoso, Vicente Sanchez, Daniel Montenegro, Luis Gabriel Rey, and Andres Rios could not handle the pressure. He of course could not replicate what Benitez had done, but not many players in the world could.
   
   With Jimenez as their main striker America were able to reach a second consecutive league final.
   
   Once again his club performances earned Jimenez a place on the National Team, this time in the struggling senior side. Jimenez kept Mexico’s World Cup hopes alive with a spectacular bicycle kick which gave El Tri a 2-1 win over Panama.
   
   Despite not having many minutes, Jimenez was part of the 23-man roster that Mexico took to Brazil. At the young age of 23 Jimenez has already achieved a FIFA U-20 World Cup 3rd place finish, an Olympic Gold Medal, a Liga MX championship with Club America, and a FIFA World Cup appearance - which is why European teams are now taking notice.
   
   Last week Club America directors mentioned that the Raul Jimenez transfer saga would be resolved this week. For the Week 2 match against Tijuana, Jimenez was sent to the bench while the manager pleaded for the transfer situation to be resolved.
   
   “I need this Raul Jimenez situation to be dealt with as soon as possible” said America manager Antonio Mohamed. “The kid is too distracted over his future to be in the starting lineup.”
   
   With Jimenez not leaving to Europe during the week and re-appearing the starting lineup for the Week 3 match up against Puebla, it is now believed that the striker will not be transferring to Europe - at least not during this summer window.
   
   But his performance in his first start of season did nothing to kill off European interest. His hat-trick performance will only make teams like Porto want him even more, as he now has a total of 4 goals in the first three matches of the 2014 Apertura season.
   
   Jimenez has gone from being the supporting striker to a big time striker like Benitez.
   
   His own teammates realize this. Speaking after the Puebla vs America match, holding midfielder Jesus Molina spoke of the importance of Jimenez in the squad.
   
   “It is a good thing that we have him back (in the starting XI),” mentioned Molina. “He is a difference maker that can decide a game at any moment.”
   
   Whether it is during this summer window or during the winter transfer season at the end of 2014, Raul Jimenez will end up playing in Europe. His skill and young age make him a prime target for any team across the Atlantic Ocean.