West Ham are on the verge of completing the season-long loan signing of Atletico Madrid striker Raúl Jiménez this summer to help solve their striker crisis with both Enner Valencia and Andy Carroll sidelined through injuries.
We spoke with ESPN writer and Mexican Football expert Tom Marshall about the 24-year-old, his career to date and how he could fit in at Upton Park.
How would you describe Jiménez’s style of play?
A technically gifted striker, who can drop deep to find space, can head well and has the ability to score special goals. Good all-round ability. If there is one main weakness, it would be his speed.
His goalscoring record in Mexico is very impressive – did his game pair up well with the brand of football played in Mexico?
Yes. The Mexican game is less physical and gives players more time on the ball. Jiménez’s vision and ability to find space suited it perfectly. His height also gave him a significant advantage.
After his big move to Spain, he’s only scored one goal for Atletico Madrid – why do you think this is?
Jiménez’s first season in Spain was always going to be one of adaption. However, it was assumed he’d get more minutes than he did. Diego Simeone has consistently stated that Jimenez’s attitude has been spot on, but the fact Fernando Torres, Luciano Vietto and now Jackson Martinez have all been signed since the Mexican joined doesn’t exactly speak volumes about the manager having faith in the striker.
Has he improved in the last year? You’d assume he has, but probably needs a good run of games to get back into the rhythm. The Copa America didn’t go well for him at all.
Does Jiménez’s playing style translate well to Premier League football?
I’d say probably not, to be honest. The high pace and intensity of the Premier League would be like nothing Jiménez has experienced before, especially if he is expected to deliver instant results at a club like West Ham.
That said, Jiménez is technically very gifted and certainly has the ability to step up. Joining West Ham would be a bit of a litmus test.
In general, Mexicans have struggled in the Premier League, as West Ham fans will know all about after Pablo Barrera.
Does he work best as a lone striker, or in a partnership?
The best stint of Jiménez’s career was alongside Ecuadorian striker Christian Benitez at Club America and then with Colombian Luis Gabriel Rey. The 24-year-old is an intelligent player in terms of find space and works best in a partnership. There is some doubt whether he’d be good enough at holding up the ball as a lone striker.
In one sentence, describe Raúl Jiménez.
Potentially Mexico’s next top striker, but now, at 24, needs to prove it on the pitch.
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