Fansided

Cementeros must pour new foundation yet again

By Thomas Buckley

Cruz Azul players walk off the field after defeating Atlético San Luis in the season finale. (Photo by Carlos Ramirez/Getty Images)
Cruz Azul players walk off the field after defeating Atlético San Luis in the season finale. (Photo by Carlos Ramirez/Getty Images) /
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Cementeros must rebuild
Sebastian Jurado is an athletic young goalkeeper who could wear the Cruz Azul No. 1 shirt for the next decade, if all goes according front office plans. (Photo by Cesar Gomez/Jam Media/Getty Images) /

Cementeros rebuilding process under way in earnest

Turning away from the front office chaos, Cruz Azul has already started to tweak the roster ahead of the Clausura 2020. Just this week, they made a move to acquire one of the most coveted young goalies in Liga MX: Sebastián Jurado.

The 22-year-old keeper became a free agent after Veracruz was disaffiliated from the league and Cruz Azul beat out the Tigres and Morelia to sign Jurado. Terms of the contract will likely be revealed when the goalie is officially presented on Thursday.

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Team captain Jesús Corona likely remains the nominal starter in goal, but the veteran keeper turns 39 in January. Jurado told reporters he is willing to learn at Corona’s feet and try to earn the job. Back-up Guillermo Allison was put on the transfer list.

Cruz Azul’s second acquisition this month was Alan Franco, 23, a central defender who will vie for a position alongside rugged Pablo Aguilar on the back line. Franco spent the past three-and-a-half years with Argentina’s Independiente, a club steeped in financial problems that is forcing them to sell players. The Cementeros reportedly spent $4 million dollars to sign Franco, who has 91 games as a pro under his belt already.

For now, the Argentine is set to compete with Igor Lichnovsky, but the Chilean might be placed on the trading block. Right back José Madueña was traded to the Chivas so defender Julio César Domínguez is likely to become the permanent right back unless additional moves are made.

The Cementeros’ first move during the transfer window was the addition of Pablo Ceppelini a playmaking midfielder. The 28-year-old Uruguayan is a good distributor who can also score from distance. He recorded 10 goals with Colombia’s Atlético Nacional this past season.

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