Federico Almerares ...

Discussion in 'River Plate' started by vipnerd, Jan 31, 2008.

  1. vipnerd

    vipnerd Member

    Nov 26, 2003
    La Mitad + Román
    Well, you all know this kid. He has left for good to Europe to try out luck, the most probable place would be Spain's 2nd division. But he has a contract with River, and he is refusing to acknowledge it.

    In a great interview from Spain with MArtin Liberman, Almenares claims that he had been sent to the Reserves, and that he wants to play. This in itself is not a good sign, neither for River nor for most clubs, who have youngsters as young as 14 (River's Erik Lamela for example) and that can try to pursue something similar to what Almenares is doing. Leaving and having the clubs carry the burden of lost transfers.

    So far, with this info, the kid is wrong doing, as he should had been in pre-season training with River's reserves in MdP. But I was surprised to learn from the player himself today that with him was a case of "using" the player. Risking his health along.

    You all remember my "critics" to DAP and his methods during the 2006 2nd semester. When after the WC, River lost in 4ters to Libertad in the 2nd leg. And you also recall, during the Apertura 2006, the constant crying of DAP of the "seriousness" of the tournament and his weekly questioning of refs. Well, after losing the Sudamericana and Apertura '06 that December, River could sign 4 players for the Clausura '07. No more enganche (Gallardo) ... the "new" system needed fresh players according to DAP.

    Suddenly, towards the end of the tournament, once River had lost all chances to the Apertura '06, DAP placed a youngster, for the first time, as a sub in the game at home against Nueva Chicago (1-2) ... of course Almenares was unused. And in the next game at Velez (1-1) of course, not even on the bench.

    Why is this significant? Because Almenares had a knee injury. After 4 months of training, in which he had intense pains in his knee, River's doctor Cerezo kept telling the kid he was fine. Almenares got tired of this, and went ahead to visit Boca's doctor Batista. Guess what ... he had his ACL (anterior cruxiate ligament) torn. Almenares went ahead to have surgery, after the Chicago game (he didn't play), with Batista. River never paid him the surgery, nor even called him to find out how he was. In January, the dirigentes did go to see him, to have him sign paperwork that would allow Marco Ruben be the "5th" signing allowed for the Clausura '07, using his spot as he had long term injury.

    So what now? Well, DAP pressured for 7 new players, 2 of which would sit out the local tournie and be available only for the Libertadores '07. The 7 players were:Rosales, Ruben, Villagra, Ojeda, Ponzio, Rivas, and Galvan.

    How much of Almenares' injury was hidden on him, to be later placed for 1 game on the bench (in order to qualify as an active player that allowed an extra "spot" in case of long term injury)?

    Now Almenares won't go back to River. He claims he had to train 4 months with his ACL torn, under pain, risking a worst injury to his knee. A simple MRI would had shown his problem. Cerezo couldn't possibly not known his problem. Lets add that one can play with a torn ACL (my case), but there is pain involved when putting "pressure" when in high intensity training/games. And that also the lateral ligaments of the knee are more easily torn since there is no support from the main (torn) central ligament. A big risk of an even worst injury.

    Poor kid ... I remember mentioning this case back then when I heavily criticized DAP. That it was "fishy" how the kid that was for one game on the bench would "free" River of a spot. Some might see this "move" as just fine, as it could serve in River's best interest. But to have a young player go thru all this, for 4 months, risking his future, is fuct. DAP has no "ethics" ... all along he needed/wanted more signings and used this kid. He was failing at River after 4 tournies ... his pressure to win things in order to have a chance of being President in the future, justified the means. Shameful.

    But this should be a thread for Almenares. This was his case. Now his present can cause a precedent that other youngsters could follow. Not because they have been abused, but because youngsters could do something like this under the excuse that they aren't given playing time. Kinda like Boca's Trejo at Mallorca now.




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  2. elbp

    elbp Member

    Feb 1, 2007
    Cordoba, ARG
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    Re: Federico Almenares ...

    Good to point this out. This is especially relevant given the shitloads of young Argentine talents that find it hard to get regular PT.

    Btw, does he go by two alternative surnames? As far as I remember, his name is Federico AlmeRares, but it seems that he is also known as Federico AlmeNares. Oh wait, are we talking the same player here? I know many players change their first names to something fancier , but changing the last name:confused:
     
  3. locoxriver

    locoxriver Moderator
    Staff Member

    May 22, 2005
    Los Angeles
    Club:
    CA River Plate
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    Re: Federico Almenares ...

    You are correct: his name is Federico Almerares.

    As for the situation, I really don't mind if he leaves. He pictured to be a good player, but right now he was way too far from being in Primera and is going to be turning 23 this year.

    In his position we have Abreu, Falcao, Andres Rios, Rosales, Alexis Sanchez, Buonanotte, and several other promising youngsters such as Juan Antonio and Lucas Gomez. Honestly, was there any room for him? If you consider Simeone's 3-3-3-1 formation (only one striker), his possibilities for actually receiving a shot are smaller than the possibilities of River incorporating Messi. :eek:
     
  4. vipnerd

    vipnerd Member

    Nov 26, 2003
    La Mitad + Román
    Re: Federico Almenares ...

    Wow, thanx for pointing out it is Almerares. I always thought it was a typo. :eek:

    Will edit the thread title accordingly ...

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  5. DIF1891

    DIF1891 Member

    Nov 27, 2004
    Stockholm
    This player is currently on trial at my club, Djurgårdens IF from Stockholm, Sweden.

    Can anyone tell me about him? What position does he play in, what are his strengths and weaknesses? What has he achieved so far?

    Thanks for any info!
     

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