If Miguel Layun manages to bury any of his six total shots over in Russia, he’s one of the stories of the World Cup. Of course Chucky Lozano has been excellent. Of course Carlos Vela has taken his game to a level that even the most ardent of Vela supporters couldn’t have anticipated. Of course Andres Guardado is a wizened midfield wizard. Of course the achievements of Rafa Marquez should be lauded. Of course maybe Jesus Gallardo should be considered for the Ballon d’Or.
Of course, of course.
But Layun has been good — he’s been quite good, I dare say.
Mexican lightning!! @Miguel_layun fue el jugador que más desbordes (52) realizó en el #GER v #MEX. Ningún jugador del Tri superó su velocidad punta (30,82 kph). pic.twitter.com/0fRP6fzNP5
— 6Pointer (@6Pointer) June 19, 2018
The guy just can’t shoot. He should’ve buried one of his five shots against Germany or at least put more than one on target. He should’ve buried his chance today, but he gave Cho Hyun-woo the opportunity to tip his shot over the bar.
So he doesn’t get the headlines. He doesn’t get the bedroom eye from FC Barcelona. He doesn’t get to be the hero he deserves to be, but Layun’s been so good that he doesn’t need to finish. He’s always there to receive, he never loses possession and his final ball is always loaded with purpose.
The bottom line is that you can’t solve for Mexico like you can for, for example, Argentina. Take away Messi, take away everything from La Albiceleste going forward. Chucky is essentially “Mexico’s Messi,” but you absolutely cannot play Mexico in the same way.
The quality of Vela and Layun has made it impossible for the defending world champion and now South Korea, a solid team fortified in its fifth-straight finals appearance.
According to WhoScored, the Sevilla winger provided two keys passes against Germany and did the same against South Korea.
The 29-year-old has never been a monster on the scoresheet — his six goals from 40 appearances during the 2015-16 season with Porto stands as his career best — but he's interpreted his role on the pitch better than any other player at the World Cup so far. He’s leaving and creating space for the likes of Vela, Chicharito and Edson Alvarez to exploit.
He’s made Mexico unplayable. The guy can’t shoot, but as Jonathan Wilson would say, goals are overrated.
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