This is the debate that is raging all over the world... ...actually, only here on BigSoccer Ecuador message board. Should Christian Benitez, who we all agree has great speed and technical skills, but did not deliver goals during the World Cup qualifying campaign, continue to be called for the national team after 2010?
his talent is undeniable, he definitely needs a call-up. I would argue that his position should not be that of a forward but rather a midfielder that plays a little lower than the strikers that way he can use his technique and speed to aid guys that might be stronger finishers
There is no denying that Benitez has talent. I do not think that his two fantastic seasons in Mexico were a fluke. Benitex thrived in that club because of the way it was built. The reason I think that he performed poorly in the NT is because the way he was used. He is not a pure striker, but more of an attacking midfielder. He should get another chance with the new coach that will be hired in mid 2010, and if he doesn't perform...
He should absolutely be on the team. He causes havoc on defenses and creates opportunities for others. I think I agree with the others of having him as a creative attacking midfielder.
Does anybody else see him in a role like Messi for Barcelona and Argentina? A roaming midfielder who can get forward in the attack. But that means a couple of things: 1. You need 2 forwards playing in front of him, otherwise you're playing a 4-5-1, and we don't have any forward with the qualities to play this formation. 2. You need to have more defensive coverage in the midfield. That means Valencia, Mendez or Noboa would have to stay back more often. Barcelona and Argentina have structured themselves around Messi, because, well, he's Messi. So they let him be Messi and everybody else has to work around that. If we add a midfielder who doesn't have defensive responsibility, we would also be facing that reality.
Barcelona has some serious cash to put around to surround Messi with cast of incredibly experienced and talented players but even then, they can do just as well without Messi. Argentina has not been able to fill this same model mostly because of the Riquelme/Maradona rift and the creative midfielder seriously lacks. I don't think we can rely on just Benitez, we can't be a 1 trick pony. Even when we had Tin Delgado, we had an awesome cast of guys that had a capacity to and did score goals...our defense was also much stronger and hence the 2 World Cup appearences.
I don't like the idea of Valencia staying back...when Valencia gets in on the attack he creates opportunities. As for Mendez...as he gets older, I don't think that he is going to be able to run the field like he used to, and he is always going to be more of an attacking midfielder.Noboa could stay back as more of a defensive midfielder, he plays that role well in Rubin,and we can put Montero as a left winger. All we need is a great finisher. I agree that if Benitez is allowed to roam the field, we can put Noboa as more as a defensive midfielder who occasionally joins the attack, but as you said we need two reliable forwards playing in front of him...something we don't have
he didn't suck,but he wasn't that great either but we can't say he didn't come close to scoring because on two occasions in qualfying he did come close to scoring.Against Paraguay in Quito he hit the crossbar and it bounced down and almost went in if it wasn't for the goalkeeper.Also against Uruguay in Quito he came close to scoring but the goalkeeper punched it away.But I would agree that Ayovi and Noboa might have been better options to take free kicks,we all rememeber Ayovis free kick goal against Peru in Vizuetes first match as coach don't we??That kick was at least from 40meters away.
no way??thats sick I never knew that,Mendez has a good foot when it comes to free kicks,but we should see Noboa take them now,I remember reading also that Hurtado would take free kicks and that he was known for curving the ball in a way that it tricked the goalkeeper.This surprised me a bit since I've only observed Hurtado from the last 5years and have never seen him take free kicks.
NO no and...no He had plenty of chances already how many chances does he need? He's the main reason we missed this WC he missed so many sitters someone tell me why he should continue getting chances? Benitez up front doesn't work. It doesn't matter what he did in Mexico anymore plenty of South American players go there and shine it's nothing new. We have Guerron who can do what Benitez does and should be given a chance. I feel Benitez and Caicedo have to earn their spots again both of them were dissapointing and with the midfield we had there was no excuse for the lack of goals, I think they only scored against Peru and Bolivia? oh and 1 against chile right infront of goal. I think Benitez doesn't care about the NT and same for Caicedo. Benitez plays plays for himself.