Efraín Flores, who discovered the former Chivas player, lamented the situation the midfielder is going through
MEXICO -- Efraín Flores brought Eduardo López to Chivas and he debuted in 2013 with the first team, where Benjamín Galindo gave him the opportunity.
Flores knows 'Chofis' López well, who affirmed, "he wasn't like this, I think because he didn't earn even a twentieth of what he earns now."
The former coach led Guadalajara to Eduardo López, after discovering him in Cesifut, in the city of Torreón, where the player's representative, Salvador Necochea, urged him to come and see his great soccer skills.
"How do I remember him? Well, as an excellent player, with excellent left-foot control, who stood out when we saw him in Cesifut. I remember that Mr. Necochea told us: 'look, come and see this guy', and he was truly exceptional."
"In the sports aspect, nobody finds fault with 'Chofis'. Maybe many people criticize him because of his physique, because he neglects himself, but his physique was already like that. However, he made a difference in his category, he already had talent," Flores said.
He pointed out that his arrival at Chivas was in the Sub 17 Filial: "Obviously, the Sub-17 is very different, you don't earn the money you earn in the first team yet."
"I remember him in an excellent way; he came from a lower-middle-class background in Torreón, but the kid had significant humility and the desire to come to Chivas. He was extremely excited, very happy, very in love with the club; truly with the desire to succeed in Chivas."
"FOOTBALL AGENTS DO NOT GUIDE THEM"
Efraín Flores lamented what is happening at this moment with Eduardo López and his recurring disciplinary problems, so he denounced that more commitment is needed from the clubs, where young players must be monitored.
"I believe that Mexican football is held hostage by five or six player representatives, who represent 60 percent of the players, including people from South America, and they can only focus on following up with the Top 5 players. Unfortunately, you can count on one hand those who really care about the players," he said.
"I have been in various instances of clubs, whether as a coach or as an executive, where I have been with representatives and, honestly, I have told most of them. Unfortunately, you only see them when the contract is being negotiated, in the photo, and then very rarely do you see them again. They don't realize what their process is, what their progress or setback is in soccer. I have seen some young people, even women, who represent them, and the players themselves pull them to have a drink, not just coffee, but a beer."
Efraín Flores pointed out that nowadays it is very difficult for families to control their young soccer players.
"Unfortunately, the bubbles that are created in professional soccer, let's not say in Chivas or América, or renowned clubs, those bubbles sometimes make them feel untouchable as players."