MEXICO CITY — Queretaro coach Victor Manuel Vucetich believes signing Guillermo Ochoa to replace the outgoing Agustin Marchesin would be a step down in quality for Club America.
A possible return for Ochoa to America has been the talk of the Mexican press following the departure of Argentine international Marchesin to Porto on Wednesday, but former Mexico coach Vucetich believes there are shortcomings in the national team keeper’s game.
“He’s a great shot-stopper, but he has difficulty playing with his feet and he isn’t great playing out [from the back],” said Vucetich in an interview with ESPN, who added that Queretaro keeper Tiago Volpi — currently on loan at Sao Paulo — would also be a better pick for Las Aguilas.
Ochoa made over 200 appearances for Club America from 2004-2011 before making his move to Europe and has been a standout for Mexico in the last two World Cups.
New Porto keeper Marchesin doesn’t agree with Vucetich, saying in his farewell press conference that 34-year-old Ochoa would be the ideal choice to replace him, with America coach Miguel Herrera expressing a similar sentiment on Monday.
“‘Memo’ [Ochoa] would be the icing on the cake,” said Marchesin. “He’s a goalkeeper that has given so much and hopefully he takes the chance.”
Ochoa said at the end of last season that he was set to leave current club Standard Liege, but it is believed he would prefer to stay in Europe, despited reports in Mexico suggesting America could offer a bumper salary for the Guadalajara native.
Club America legend Salvador Cabanas told ESPN on Wednesday that Ochoa should stay in Europe and only come back to Mexico when he is close to retirement.