Tijuana Xolos: Club Tijuana GM Confirms Return Of Luis Ernesto Michel
This Friday, the new Xolos’ head coach Diego Cocca was officially presented to the media, and consequently, players will now start filtering in and out of the club.
It was already announced that Jose Antonio Rodriguez’s loan deal had expired and he was now back with Chivas de Guadalajara.
The Xolos’ needed a goalkeeper to either replace Gibran Lajud as the starter or serve as a backup option for the club.
There were some talented youngsters already on the Aztec Canines that should have arguably received an opportunity in this upcoming Clausura 2018. But the Tijuana Xolos decided to take a different route and bring back veteran goalkeeper Luis Ernesto Michel from second division affiliate Dorados de Sinaloa.
Reporter Claudia Rodriguez was told this information by the Xolos’ General manager, Ignacio Palou, this Friday.
The biggest advantage of this move is that it doesn’t cost the team anything as he is coming from second division affiliate Dorados de Sinaloa.
However, the Xolos do have an important year coming up with the CONCACAF Champions League to worry about as well. If Gibran Lajud is to suffer an injury, a 38-year-old Luis Michel may not be the best option for the team.
The Jalisco native has had an extensive career and has enjoyed success in the past with Chivas de Guadalajara and the Mexican national team, but he is way past his prime at 38 years old.
Sinaloa had a dismal Apertura 2017 season in the Ascenso MX, finishing in 12th place with 20 points, out of a playoff spot. Michel started 13 games in between the sticks, and maybe another loan deal like Jose Antonio Rodriguez would have been the better option for the Xolos.
Después de un torneo con Dorados, Luis Ernesto Michel regresará con los Xolos de Tijuana, así me lo confirmó Ignacio Palou.
— Claudia Rodríguez (@RClaudia89) December 8, 2017
In the Clausura 2017 with the Prehistoric Dogs, the veteran goalkeeper did not feature in any Liga MX games, but did start four Copa MX fixtures. The border city side had been linked with Peruvian goalkeeper Carlos Caceda, but this move may put an end to the rumors, as it suggests Gibran Lajud will be the undeniable starter, with the veteran Michel on the bench. The 38-year-old will serve as a mentor for the young Gibran Lajud, who has a bright future, but is still learning from his mistakes.
Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.