Matías Almeyda admits he tried to bring Carlos Vela to Chivas | OneFootball

Carlos Vela was an instant hit in Major League Soccer last year, scoring 14 goals and adding a whopping 13 assists in 26 matches for LAFC during the 2018 MLS regular season.

New San Jose Earthquakes boss Matías Almeyda, however, wishes Vela had moved a little further south.

Almeyda, who led Chivas to the CONCACAF Champions League title last year, admitted that he tried to recruit Vela to Guadalajara.

“When I was at Chivas I had asked [for him to join the club]. He is a great player.

“I had hoped to train him at least once in my life,” Almeyda said after the friendly match between San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC.

The 45-year-old went on to say that it would have been great to run the Mexican national team and work with players like him.

“When there was a discussion for me to take over the national team, I envisioned how spectacular it would be to get together with all of them,” he said.

“For me, Vela represents Mexican football and you know what I think of Mexican soccer players.”