LIGA MX
Which players will leave Chivas after their Liga MX Clausura 2023 final defeat to Tigres?
Guadalajara boss Veljko Paunovic is looking to put his own stamp on the roster ahead of the Apertura 2023 tournament.
It’s likely to take Chivas some time to get over their Liga MX Clausura 2023 final defeat to Tigres. Guadalajara looked odds-on to equal Club América’s record of 13 league titles after taking a 2-0 lead in the tie after just 20 minutes of the second leg, only to be pegged back out of nowhere after the interval and lose in extra time. For some members of the roster, their time at the club appears set to come to an end as Veljko Paunovic looks to strengthen ahead of the Apertura 2023.
The Serb had to work with a squad of players that he didn’t build in his first tournament in Mexico. Now, he will be looking to put his own stamp on the team by bringing in players that will suit his style of play, while simultaneously shipping out others who don’t.
Could the following players be set to move on from Chivas?
Four players who could leave Guadalajara before the Apertura 2023
Christian Calderón
Calderón has been unable to reach the heights hit during his time at Necaxa. When he made the switch to Guadalajara, he was considered the best Mexican left-back in the league. Now, he isn’t even a regular starter and has been tried in a more attacking role on the wing. If he were to leave, there would still be plenty of interest in him and he could prove to be a useful bargaining chip.
Hiram Mier
The experienced central defender has been given few opportunities under Paunovic and wasn’t even on the bench in the final. He is now the team’s fifth-choice centre-back, with youngster Raúl Martínez ahead of him in the pecking order.
Daniel Rios
Rios only joined the club from MLS side Charlotte FC before the Clausura 2023 tournament. However, the attacker has failed to live up to expectations, scoring just once in 14 appearances. The 28-year-old hasn’t been able to force his way into the team and Chivas are known to be on the lookout for another centre-forward.
Sergio Flores
Flores had been a first-team regular under previous head coaches but that has changed since Paunovic’s arrival. Rubén González is an undisputed starter in midfield with Eduardo Torres seemingly his understudy, which means Flores could soon find himself surplus to requirements.