El Gato Talks Of Leaving

The Apertura isn't over, and the Copa Sudamericana raging on, Newell's Old Boys have their sights on both titles. That hasn't stopped the transfer rumors from starting up... as if they ever really stop.

The current word going around is that Palmeiras from Brasil are interested in Mauro "El Gato" Fórmica. Mauro has proven sense he took over the playmaker role at Newell's that he's a capable performer. He can set up his teammates, dribble around defenders, and is a fine finisher in his own right. Anyone who has been following this blog knows that he's been my favorite current player for some time... though I have to admit that Mauricio Sperdutti is rapidly making a case to take over that spot this season, but let's not get off the topic at hand.

Fórmica himself has come out and stated that before he goes anywhere he wants to win a championship with Newell's. With seven games to go Newell's sit in fourth place with 21 points, 6 points off the pace being set by league leaders Estudiantes. In the Copa Sudamericana they have made it to the quarterfinals, where they will be facing current holders LDU Quito. Roberto Sensini has said that he'd like to rest El Gato over the weekend when they face Godoy Cruz in order to have him well rested for the midweek Copa first leg next week, but Mauro has counter that the team can't let their current high standing in the Apertura go to waste.

Both men have points, but in the end it will be Sensini who makes the call. In this case, I'm a bit split on the call. Yes, I've been calling for Sensini to rest players, but against these two teams? No, the time to rest players is when your facing weaker opposition, not teams that are going to be tough to beat. Godoy Cruz have been developing into one of the better teams in Argentina, though they often get overlooked due to the fact that they come from Mendoza. Quito, as current holders of the Copa Sudamericana title, cannot be taken lightly. It is a very difficult call to make, and I am glad to leave it to Sensini to have to deal with.

In other news, Newell's old guard of Diego Mateo, Rolando Schiavi and Lucas Bernardi have all agreed to stay around a bit longer. Mateo has signed a two year extension, while Schiavi and Bernardi have both added one. I'm sure once they finish those, should they be willing and physically able, Newell's will be glad to keep them on the books.