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LOS ANGELES — Mexico winger Hirving Lozano is being touted as one of the breakout stars at the World Cup this summer, but El Tri director of national teams Dennis te Kloese doesn’t believe the 22-year-old should move on from club side PSV Eindhoven too soon.
Lozano signed for the Dutch champions from Pachuca in July 2017 and netted 17 goals in 29 games in his debut season in the Eredivisie, sparking speculation that he could look for a transfer to a bigger league after the World Cup.
“I think he might be ready, but I don’t think he needs to be in a rush,” said Te Kloese during Mexico’s media day last Friday. “The time will come for him. He was born in 1995 so, basically, he has a lot of years ahead in his career.”
“It was a first year with more ups than downs [in the Netherlands], a lot of goals and assists as a wide player in a league that obviously allows players like him to attack. The more he can get used to that I think the better it is.
“If he does get an opportunity it is difficult to deny it, I think he should take it, but on the other hand, he is in very good hands at the club where he is at. It’s a very good club and also for Mexican players the club has always been very good.”
“He’s quite settled [off the field]. He’s young and married with kids and he’s a calm kid with a very bright future if he goes about it the right way.”
Lozano is expected to play an important role for Mexico at the World Cup and stated last week that he isn’t thinking about his club situation.
“If there is an option to leave we’ll decide what is the best decision for me and my family, but I’m concentrating on the national team,” said Lozano in a news conference.
El Tri plays Wales on Monday in the Rose Bowl, before heading back to Mexico to face Scotland on June 2 in Estadio Azteca.
Tom Marshall covers Liga MX and the Mexican national team for ESPN FC. Twitter: @MexicoWorldCup.
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