Who are the best Mexican footballers in Premier League history?

No North American nation has been stronger in football than Mexico with many of their players often shining in the world’s best leagues. While many have found success in Spain or Italy, some Mexicans have headed to England and called the Premier League home during the prime point of their careers. In the past 30 years, 10 Mexican footballers have appeared in the Premier League to varying degrees of success. So who has been the best export to England and claimed the mantle of best Mexican footballer in Premier League history?

 

Jared Borghetti (Bolton)

A legendary striker in his homeland, Jared Borghetti’s only appearances in European football came during two seasons in the Premier League with Bolton. Borghetti was not the quickest on the ball but his eye for goal and strength of it made him a dangerous foe anywhere in the area. He made himself a nuisance in the box throughout the 2005/06 season and contributed with goals against Manchester City and Charlton – in a season where Bolton also enjoyed a run in the UEFA Cup that season. It would be a short spell in Lancashire for Borghetti who left in 2006 to join Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad on a free transfer. A short, sharp spell for the first Mexican ever in English football.

 

Guillermo Franco (West Ham)

Argentine-born Guillermo Franco grew to become a star in Mexican football and took citizenship after four years playing in the country. His fame and success in Liga MX saw him venture to Europe and moved to England with West Ham from Villarreal in 2009. The Hammers were grateful for some of Franco’s goals as he notched up five strikes in his only season in London. These goals set up several big wins as West Ham narrowly avoided relegation. Despite staying in the top flight, Franco left at the end of the season and moved to Argentine side Velez Sarsfield on a free transfer.

 

Carlos Vela (Arsenal, West Brom)

Much was expected of Carlos Vela when he rose through the ranks at Arsenal but his best form eventually came once he left England. Vela’s explosive pace and skill on the ball made him deadly in breakaways and excellent performances in the League Cup underlined that potential. However, injuries limited his growth and any chance to claim a spot in The Gunners starting lineup. A brief loan spell with West Brom didn’t help matters and Vela left English football for good in 2012 to join Real Sociedad in Spain. Vela’s goalscoring form would later materialise in both Spain and the USA even if it didn’t quite work out in English football with Arsenal.

 

Raul Jimenez (Wolves)

Wolves have grown into an established presence in the Premier League and much of that success has come through the signing of players like Raul Jimenez. The Mexican striker is a powerhouse and is strong in the air as well as a talented finisher. It was a huge reason why Jimenez impressed with Wolves when joining on loan from Benfica in 2017. In his debut season, Jimenez scored 13 goals earning a permanent move to Molineux at the end of that season. The result sparked a surge of form with Jimenez scoring 17 goals in the 2019-20 season announcing himself as an elite forward. A fractured skull hindered his progress since then but the 2X Wolves Player of the Season is recapturing some of his best form. With a PFA Player of the Month award to also go on the mantlepiece, Jimenez has proven himself to be an elite forward in the English top flight.

 

Javier Hernandez (Manchester United, West Ham)

Few Mexicans have enjoyed such a storied and successful career in football than Javier Hernandez. The diminutive forward, dubbed “Chicharito” saw him always cause problems for defenders with mazy runs and energetic bursts forward. It was this skillset that earned Hernandez a move to Old Trafford in 2010 where he made an immediate impact. Scoring 13 goals in his debut season, Chicharito became a popular figure with The Red Devils earning him the 2011 Player of the Year award at Old Trafford.  He further recorded double figure goal tallies in the next two seasons underlining his credentials. This form earned him a move to Real Madrid a year later and then Bayer Leverkusen in Germany.

In 2017, Hernandez returned to English football with West Ham as they returned to the Premier League that season. Chicarito chipped in with a few more goals taking his overall tally in English football to 53 – a record for Mexican players. After more interest from Spain, Hernandez left London to join Sevilla in 2019 before moving onto LA Galaxy in the US just a year later. Having won two Premier League titles, Hernandez is by far the most successful Mexican footballer in English football and a figure who leaves a strong legacy behind him.

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