As the Liga MX Clausura 2017 is approaching its end more teams will start to officially announce what players are up for grabs heading into the new season. Santos Laguna is the latest team in the Liga MX to announce its list of transferable players after a quarter-final exit to Toluca in the playoffs.
The list includes seven players, all of which did not have a significant impact on the team in the Clausura 2017. Here is a rundown of the players Los Guerreros are looking to move heading into the Apertura 2017 campaign.
Julio Gonzalez
The goalkeeper has been with Santos Laguna his whole career but has always been on the bench. The 26-year-old did play in one game in the Clausura 2017. Gonzalez received the start against Pumas UNAM in week 9 of the competition. Santos lost the game 2-1, Gonzalez had three saves in the game and did not really have an impressive performance.
Cesar Ibanez
Ibanez did not fit into Jose Manuel de la Torre’s team in the Clausura 2017. Other potent fullbacks like Jorge Sanchez and Gerardo Arteaga outshined Ibanez and the 25-year-old did not receive any playing time this Clausura 2017. The Mexican defender will be looking for a new home as he is unlikely to get any playing time under Jose Manuel de la Torre this upcoming season.
Mauricio Cuero
The Colombian forward only played 48 minutes off the bench in the Clausura 2017 and did not contribute with any goals or assists. In the Copa MX, Cuero did start three games for Los Guerreros but also did not contribute to the score sheet. Santos Laguna has a plethora of talent in midfield and attack and has no room for Cuero on its roster. The South American winger does have a lot of pace and may be serviceable for a smaller Liga MX side.
Ulises Davila
Davila is one of the more interesting names on the list, showing potential and having had a decent amount of playing time in 2017. In the Liga MX, Davila played in 11 games with Santos Laguna, mostly coming off the bench, trying to change the tempo late on in games for Jose Manuel de la Torre. In the Copa MX, the 26-year-old played in four games as a starter and scored two goals. Davila has pace and has a decent shot on him and a few Liga MX sides may consider him to add depth to their squads.
Emilio Orrantia
Orrantia was out on loan in the Clausura 2017 with Puebla where he did receive plenty of playing time. The Mexican midfielder played in 15 games, 11 as a starter and was very versatile playing as a fullback, midfielder and winger. The 26-year-old did not show qualities to be a consistent starter in the Liga MX but could easily find a job as a role player coming off the bench.
Javier Orozco
“El Chuletitia” was out on loan with Veracruz in the Clausura 2017, played in six games and did not make much of an impact not getting on the score sheet. Orozco does not seem to have the skill to be a starter with a Liga MX club and it will be interesting to see if any Liga MX side takes a chance on the 29-year-old.
Francisco Torres
Rounding up the list is the veteran midfielder, Francisco Torres who was on loan with Puebla in the Clausura 2017. “El Pacorro” was a very solid player playing in 14 games, seven as a starter and scoring three goals for Los Camoteros. Even at 34, Torres can still be an impactful player and does offer a lot of leadership, given his success with the club, perhaps Puebla will look to keep the midfielder next season.
