Should 'Gallito' Vázquez be given another chance with 'El Tri'?

He is back to his best. And by 'his best' we must recall him controlling the midfield for Mexico against Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic or Paulinho during the last World Cup. One wonders whether Mexican fans would keep lamenting Robben's brazen diving had José Juan Vázquez been there neutralizing Holland in Fortaleza (he missed the match on yellow cards).

Although Santos Laguna's good form through the Clausura 2018 has been attributed to Djaniny and his goals, 'Gallito' is the real factor behind the improvement of a side which last season failed to strengthen its backbone using the likes of 'Chatón' Enríquez, Ulises Rivas and Diego de Buen. With individual figures of 100% play minutes and 85% pass accuracy, according to official stats, Vázquez is Robert Dante Siboldi's iron man.

True, his spell at Chivas was disappointing in spite of his scoring the goal that put an end to the club's years without league titles. He could not fully replicate his 2014 performances and that is why Matías Almeyda agreed to trade him in order to bring Gael Sandoval. The change, however, has given 'Gallito' new spurs while Almeyda (who was very similar to Vázquez during his playing career, tactically speaking) must ask himself why the midfielder's best version did not appear wearing the Guadalajara shirt.

Sometimes football is simply about fortune and misfortune. Four years ago Vázquez was by no means first option for Mexico until Luis Montes broke his leg in a friendly match against Ecuador. Back then, Miguel Herrera favored a midfield composed by three men; Héctor Herrera was meant to assume the lone holding midfielder role. Vázquez's final inclusion in the lineup allowed more freedom to Herrera and Guardado and both went on to have good performances in Brazil.

For all of the different formations which Juan Carlos Osorio has employed with 'El Tri', he also favors a three-man middle line in which one of the pieces is set especially apart for holding duties. A number of players has been tested there (Herrera himself, Diego Reyes, Rafa Márquez and Jesús Molina). But none has been able to show the tactical awareness and tireless drive that characterize José Juan Vázquez when playing at his finest.

'Gallito' is now a 'Gallo': an experienced man who has won league and cup titles and who also has been tried and tested under the pressure of a World Cup. He also dominates a position that has caused Osorio many headaches. And he already knows what is it like to play alongside Herrera and Guardado. Should he be given another chance with 'El Tri'?

Why not?