I think I saw he'd been called up for some South American nations challenge cup of Africa nations soccer thingy.
Hopefully he gives a good account and adds a few million onto his value over the summer. Also Venezuela have announced a 40 man initial squad(!) so it's hardly surprising Penaranda made it into that!
Came on as a sub in Venezuela's last friendly before the Copa America on 75 minutes. Went off injured after 85 minutes and is now probably out of the tournament.
Ever since Deeeny mocked that mask the Mexicans have had it in for us. First the cup final thrashing, then AJ beaten, now our pride and joy and future superstar cruelly injured. What next?
The UK visa and immigration office know their stuff. They dragged their heals over his work permit and now we can see why - Penaranda is a stagnant pile of monkey spunk. Still, only another 4-years left on his contract.
Which is why he's barely played a game for the last 3 years. Someone will be along in a minute to say he's still very young and has plenty of time to develop and reach his potential.
In lieu of adding to the moaning, whinging and slagging (entertaining as they are), I found the video of the game. As one might expect in his 10 minutes, he didn't see a lot of the ball. Played on the left side of a front 3. Seemed to move well and be interested. Tracked back and got stuck in once or twice, dribbled a bit. Unfortunately, when the injury occurred and/or fully manifested itself the broadcast was showing a replay and analyzing the Mexicans scoring a goal. I thought I might have seen him rubbing his left hip/buttock area, but it was hard to tell. He walked off with the physios. My assumption is that it's a muscle injury of some sort - as opposed to a recurrence of the foot problems of the past.
Imagine the scene at <insert poor South American club here>: ‘Oh look, here comes that stoopid gringo Gino. He must be looking for for the next Sanchez to take to Europe on the cheap. Easy money here, watch this’ The owner of the Poor South American team changes his tone as Gino Pozzo enters the office with his entourage - ‘Hey amigo, Mr Pozzo, it’s good to see you. What brings you to our wonderful country on this fine day, how may I be of assistance?’ ‘My world-class scouting network has been keeping tabs on your young player Jonto, they say he’s pretty good’ ‘Ah yes, amazing player, so, so much potential.’ ‘Well, I’m interested in taking him to the Premier League’ ‘Oooh, Mr Pozzo, The Premier League. I can assure you he’ll do well there. He has always stated that as his dream’ ‘I was hoping you’d say that. Does he score goals?’ ‘Goals? Goals? When does he not score! Every game he plays, he scores. Youngest top scorer, ever in his country at just 14. He can run, dribble, head, cross, he is strong and both feet are like rocket launchers. Have you heard of You Tube? He has his own video, look, look’ Gino watches goal after goal on the 15-minute highlights video. As he taps his fingers to the banging Psy-trance track accompanying the goal-fest, Gino’s attention is distracted from the fact that it’s the same 5 goals being shown from multiple angles. ‘Is he match fit? Injury prone?’ ‘The boy is strong as an ox. Never injured. He’s just finished a 60 game season and won everything so now he needs a rest - he is still only just 18, but for next season, next season! Wow! He’ll be a player’ ‘Will he be able to play in a team that has a Troy Deeney?’ ‘Gino, Gino, I know not what a Troy Deeney is but I assure you that he is used to being surrounded by lesser-quality players and yet he still shines’ Gino can hardly contain his excitement. This could be the deal to make his father proud of him. ‘Ok, I’ll take him. But I’m a tough negotiator. I’ll only give you €1m.’ ‘Ah, señor Pozzo, please, I have a wife and a large family to feed. I promise you, this boy will make you rich’ ‘Is he as good as Sanchez?’ ‘At this age, better’ ‘Oh, I don’t know, how much do you value him at?” ‘I don’t want to force you into paying more than you can afford, but I’ve always liked you Gino, and its only fair to let you know that other, big clubs, from Europe are also interested, Liverpool, the Manchesters, Barcelona. They are preparing bids of €20m+‘ Gino recoils in his chair, shocked at the latest revelation. He didn’t know others were interested. He carefully considers the deal. He doesn’t want this South American pauper to think he, Gino Pozzo, can’t afford this player or that he doesn’t own a big club. He’s heard the facts directly from the horses mouth, the man who has watched this player develop. The man who knows this boy’s potential. The player only has one name and everybody knows that all great South American players only have one name. AND Barcelona are interested, OMG. He needs to think and act quick but remain firm’ ‘€20M? That’s a lot of money. Is there any movement on that price?’ ‘Mr Pozzo, it’s true what they say about your famed negotiating skills. I have seen the Godfather movies and I know how this ends. For you, less may well be acceptable’ ‘Ok, €5m?’ Mr Pozzo, my club is on its knees and needs the money for its survival’ ‘Ok, I can stretch to half way’ ‘For my clubs future, I reluctantly must accept your kind offer of €15m’ ‘€15m? But I thought.....’ ‘Stop, stop Mr Pozzo, I couldn't possibly accept any more but thank you, thank you, you kind, kind man’ ‘But, but’ Gino stammers. ‘No, no, Gino. It is important for the future of my club. The sell on clauses and add-ons will make up for any short fall’ ‘Sell on clauses?, add-ons?’ ‘Oh, that’s just legal stuff, don’t you worry now - they’ll probably never come into effect. We have many, many more players, just as good, if not better coming through and you, Gino, will be my first call. I will remember this great day. You are my club’s saviour ’ ‘Oh, Ok, erm, thank you’ ‘No, no, thank you Mr Pozzo’ Gino leaves the office with the boy and heads straight for The Home Office in the UK to secure Jonto’s work permit..................
Yes, patronising - but true. I did say many, not all. Classic FM - the bleeding chunks station (mostly).
His latest Instagram post suggests he's crocked and definitely out of the tournament. This guy is never going to make it.
It was reading like real life until you suggested Gino would return with an increased bid of £5m. We all know he would have returned with a bid less than the original and then sign Molla Wague on deadline day.
Adalberto Peñaranda has been ruled out of the @CopaAmerica after an MRI scan confirmed the extent of his hamstring injury. National team doctor José de Filipis confirmed the #watfordfc attacker suffered "a rupture of the femoral biceps of his left leg."
