University National strengthens its roster for the upcoming season

After a year of learning, ups and downs, some disappointments and few successes, University National decided to bet on reinforcements already proven in Mexican soccer, and the Transfer Draft worked according to what the team needed; Rodrigo Ares de Parga's directive and the coaching staff led by Francisco Palencia went to the Cancun Draft with the mission of finding players who would provide variety and experience... and they got them.

Firstly, David Cabrera returned to the institution after a year on loan in Morelia. The left defensive midfielder was ending his contract, but the interest of the board to recover his best level opened the possibility of a new opportunity wearing blue and gold. To work on his physical condition, his Achilles' heel, he reported two weeks before the start of preseason, under the supervision of Ariel González. The goal is for him to earn a spot in the starting eleven.

After several back and forths and even a statement announcing his departure due to "several disagreements", Abraham González was able to reach an agreement with Pumas to continue for another year in the Pedregal. Ares de Parga traveled to Europe, to Barcelona, in recent days to convince the defensive midfielder to sign a new contract close to the player's expectations, so one of Pumas' most solid links, especially in his first semester, will remain in the institution. Abraham and Cabrera will be the recovery shields.

Days before the draft, rumors came from Argentina indicating that Newell's Old Boys' number 10, a familiar face in Mexican soccer, was returning to national soccer: Mauro Formica, and not with Cruz Azul where he had previously been, but with Pumas. Once at the Draft, Rodrigo Ares de Parga himself confirmed his signing: "He only needs to pass the medical exam and sign a couple of documents; Mauro will finish the season in Argentina (two weeks remain) and then he will join us", he commented.

In an unexpected move, but with value, University also acquired the services of Joffre Guerrón, once a player for La Máquina and who, during the previous six months, between inactivity and not being included in Cruz Azul's plans, became an unknown. The Ecuadorian arrives at Pumas to reinforce the right wing, where Palencia will feel the absence of Pablo Barrera, a player who will not see action until early November due to a torn cruciate ligament in his left knee. The intention is to recover him, as Ares de Parga assured: "he is a great player".

Almost at the last minute of the draft, in a kind of exchange, Pumas agreed with Santos Laguna to transfer Néstor Calderón, who a few weeks ago became champion with Chivas, and in return, they received Javier Cortés. El Avión, who plays as a left winger, at 28 years old, arrives in the Pedregal to compete for a spot, as in theory, Jesús Gallardo plays in this sector, a player with aspirations to consolidate himself.

With these five signings, University National closes its ranks. Pumas bolstered its squad like it hadn't done in recent times, and did so with the firm intention of providing variety to the team, without forgetting about the youth academy, which will stand out this time in defense. In attack, Paco Palencia now has at least two players per position, a situation that was lacking in the past and which will be one of his main strengths come the Apertura 2017, at least on paper.

The dilemma will be for the coach, who will have to know how to adjust his pieces, going beyond the containment line (of his formation: 4-2-3-1). In theory, and respecting the starting positions, Bryan Rabello could play as right winger, Matías Britos as attacking midfielder, and on the left, the aforementioned Gallardo, as well as Nicolás Castillo as the lone striker.

However, the starting eleven could be structured in this other way: Guerrón as right winger, Formica as a false nine, and Rabello shifted to the left, with Jesús Gallardo moving back to this wing, but as a full-back, while still respecting Castillo up front. Today, Pumas has a wide repertoire.