Press round up 21/6/10: Starting lineup v Uruguay?

As usual before the day of a Mexico game, the papers are full of rumours about the starting eleven and especially the front line.

The clamour for Chicharito to start was intense before the France game and now it's reaching a crescendo, but the Mexican papers suggest he might well start the game on the bench again.

Cancha, to date the most reliable publication on the subject, says manager Javier Aguirre experimented with Guillermo Franco and Pablo Barrera together in attack during the final training session. The same paper then says Chicharito was given his turn with Alberto Medina, but then Aguirre reverted to Franco and Barrera at the end of the session.

If Mexico keep their 4-3-3 system, it seems that despite Vela's injury it will be a straight fight between Franco and Chicharito for the position at the head of the front three. Barrera is almost certain to start in place of Vela.

Behind them, Esto and other newspapers say Guardado will play on the left of a three man midfield instead of the suspended Efrain Juarez. The decision to start Juarez in the first place was a big surprise for most pundits but Juarez' form has been superb.

Guardado, currently with Deportivo de La Coruña, looks set to move on should a big enough bid come in. Martin O'Neill is reportedly a big fan, but the Mexican press reckon there are a horde of clubs after him from England, Spain and Holland. With his experience (read here) the pressure game against Uruguay shouldn't be a problem.

The Mexican press are generally confident about getting a victory against Uruguay but recognise the teams are quite evenly matched. Uruguay have never beaten Mexico in a competitive game however.

In other news, there's a lot of talk about how at least five of the Uruguayan squad have suffered some kind of rejection from the Mexican league. Sebastian Abreu, on the other hand, has been highly successful.

...And one last thing. Javier Aguirre's son, Iñaki, has been transferred to the Bolton Wanderers youth team squad. Aguirre confirmed that the family will be moving to the North West of England to accompany their youngest son. Who will also be nearby? New Manchester United signing Chicharito. Aguirre was actually coached by Chicharito's granddad and played with his father. The two families get along well according to Aguirre and now they'll be able to get used to the cold together.

Aguirre has a longstanding desire to manage a team in the Premier League.