Year review: 'Chicharito' and the Mexicans in Europe • 12/18/2012, 12:51 PM

The Mexicans playing in the European leagues have had mixed performances throughout the year. The most relevant were Javier ´Chicharito´Hernández and Carlos Vela.

'Chicharito' did not have a good first semester with manchester United. Injuries caused him to miss several games eventually losing the starter status to Danny Welbeck. ´Chicharito´scored 6 goals from January to May.

The beginning of the 2012-13 season has been a little better. After being rumors of 'Chicharito's exit during the offseason due to striker Robin van Persie arriving to Man U, Hernández has been used as a substitute most of the time but has managed to scored 9 goals and give 3 assists in 18 matches this season (updated to Dec 21)

Carlos Vela was only beaten by Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the number of goals scored at the beginning of 2012 (10 goals). He has been a key player for Real Sociedad. The club made an effort and acquired him permanently from Arsenal.

The 2012-13 season Vela has scored 6 goals and 3 assists and keeps leading his club's attack.

Giovani Dos Santos finally was able to leave Tottenham and was acquired by Spanish club Mallorca during the summer. Gio's club unfortunately has not done well until now.

After obtaining the Olympic gold medal with Mexico, Gio arrived injured to his new club. He had a good debut but ever since he has not performed very weel as he still lacks rythm. He even failed a penalty kick in Copa del Rey.

One of the most consistent Mexican players in Europe is Guillermo Ochoa. His club Ajaccio was able to avoid relegation, thanks in part to Ochoa's good performance.

'Memo' stayed with Ajaccio for the curent season after several rumors of his exit.

Andrés Guardado played the first semester with Deportivo and became a key player for Deportivo's campaign that took the team back to first division. He was transfered to Valencia during the summer.

Guardado has won a strater position with Valencia but has not scored yet after 15 league and 6 Champions league matches.

Héctor Moreno and Espanyol had a good first semester. The club fought to qualify for the European tournaments until the end of the last season but failed.

This season, Moreno is still in the starting lineup but Espanyol is in the relegation zone and coach Pocchettino was fired. Moreno has played 14 league matches since the start of the season.

Francisco Javier Rodríguez has had an acceptable performance with Stuttgart, although not always being in the starting lineup.

This season he has played 14 league matches, 6 Europa league games and 1 Cup game.

Javier Aguirre returned to coach in the Spanish league. He will try to save Espanyol from relegation.

Since Aguirre took over, Espanyol has 3 draws (to dec 21) including one at Real Madrid.

Jonathan dos Santos has not played much with Barcelona's first team this season.

In the second semester, he has only played in one league match. New coach Tito Vilanova has told him to find a new club but Jonathan insists in staying with the club.

Former Chivas midfielder Ulises Dávila, who was acquired by Chelsea is playing this season with Sabadell of the Spain's second division.

After not having good luck at Dutch club Vitesse, he was transferred Sabadell  where he has played 18 matches, scoring 5 goals and giving 2 assists.

Anibal Zurdo also left Mexico during last summer to play for Sabadell, scoring 3 goals in 23 matches in the first semester.

This season he has scored 6 goals and had 1 assist after 18 matches played.