Just before the new year, Puebla announced the signing of 26-year-old Bolivia international Alejandro Chumacero from La Paz club The Strongest. At 5-4, Chumacero is as diminutive as they come in the midfield/wide areas, but his talent was enough to earn a short-lived spell at Brazilian club Sport Recife at the age of 22.
After failing to make an impact with Sport and returning to Bolivia, Chumacero made his breakthrough in the 2017 Copa Libertadores with The Strongest. The Bolivian finished as the joint-second highest scorer in South America’s premier club competition with eight goals, firing his side into the Round of 16.
It's come to follow that his transfer to Puebla has generated its fair share of hype. The Liga MX side was in dire need of attacking support after scoring only 14 goals in 17 Apertura matches, and Chumacero (a youthful player but with vast experience, including 33 international caps) could prove to be the signing of the season.
The Bolivian made his debut as a substitute in Puebla’s 1-0 defeat to Morelia in Liga MX action last Friday, but he got his first start and opened his account in Tuesday’s 3-1 Copa MX victory over Cruz Azul with a great finish.
Micolta desborda, se mete entre 2 y deja para que Chumasteiger le pegue con tubo y envíe al fondo el tercero. #YoCreoEnLaFranja pic.twitter.com/FwzNxDWXsh
— Club Puebla (@ClubPueblaMX) January 17, 2018
With over 50 percent of the vote, Chumacero was then named Puebla’s Man of the Match.
¡Llegó el momento de votar por el jugador del partido! ¿Para ti quién fue el mejor de esta noche? #YoCreoEnLaFranja
— Club Puebla (@ClubPueblaMX) January 17, 2018
He’ll definitely be one to watch over the coming months in Mexico.