Carlos Vela the young protégé from Cancun started out his trade for Guadalajara in Mexico where he didn’t get to play any games but the hype around the kid was enough for him to earn his place in the Mexico under 17 team for the world cup. Vela the frail looking kid made his name in this tournament where he bagged 5 goals, it was his movement off the ball that caught the eye and his determination to help his team abit like the qualities we see in Adebayor today but he also had something else to his game, that knack to be in the right place at the right time and the ability to not spur a chance and not only was he special the team was special and they went on to win the under 17 World Cup beating Brazil 3-0 in which Vela scored and dedicated his Golden Boot award to his father afterwards.
After the celebrations Vela had a choice now as he had made his name on one of the biggest stages for a youngster. The offers flooded in from across Europe with Guadalajara offering a new contract and alot of money to secure his family financially but he turned the offer down to sign with us in November 2005 for a reported £2,500,000. We was all aware of what player Wenger had brought and couldn’t wait to see him in action but due to the Non-EU citizens rule in the U.K Vela could not play until he had earnt a work permit.
Vela was shipped out to Celta Vigo in February 2006 where he didn’t feature for the 1st team because the current manager felt he was too inexperienced to play him but then was farmed out to 2nd division side Salamanca and this is where he made his mark. He was playing up front and showing signs of becoming a good striker banging in 8 goals and creating numerous assists for his team mates, He became the fans hero here and everyone loved Vela but they knew he had to go the boy had too much talent. His performances was noted by the national manager and made his full international debut for Mexico in a September 2007 friendly against Brazil and got his 1st goal against Guatemala in Los Angeles.
Come the start of 2007 the loan bids were flying in for Carlos who Osasuna were successful in their bid agreeing to a 1 year loan with an extension. Vela had been looking a very different person come the start of the season for Osasuna where he wasn’t the little boy anymore he had put on alot of muscle and grown alot. With that new look come a new Carlos, He’s no longer playing of the shoulders of defenders but just playing on the left wing and dropping deep with the licence to create and get himself into the box but one thing is for sure he has not lost any of his desire and willingness to run for the cause but he’s alot more harder to budge of the ball just ask Sergio Ramos! And has alot of power when running with it too with the technique required to make it at the top level. He managed to get his first goal for Osasuna in a match against Betis which was a mere tap it but his goal against Bilbao showed that he hasn’t lost any of his predator instincts as the ball was lofted over the last line of defence and Vela shaped up and hit a half volley from a acute angle to beat the corner in his near post it was a great goal and I’m sure there is more to come from this great prospect.
Well what can we expect from the Mexican hotshot, has he sorted out our left side problem or is he nudging out a striker?
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