Roy Hodgson’s fury over Carlos Vela’s treatment
Thursday 31st March 2011, 11:29AM BST.
Roy Hodgson today said Mexico’s handling of Carlos Vela was “disastrous” and admitted he is worried about how the youngster will fare on his return to The Hawthorns.
Vela is due back in England later today after more than a fortnight away — first to visit family in Mexico and then for two friendlies for his national side in the United States. But, after
Vela figured for a total of around an hour over both matches, Hodgson believes the trip will have done the 22-year-old more harm than good.
“I think it’s disastrous to have players go away for friendly matches for the length of time it takes to go to Mexico,” said Hodgson.
“I was encouraged to let him go earlier, which I agreed to do because I had no reason to say otherwise, but really that has exacerbated the situation. I didn’t think he would have played any games for Mexico, or he might have had a small substitute’s role.”
And Hodgson believes he would have wasted his time by airing his concerns with national managers entitled to demand players report for international duty.
“There is no point,” he said. “They make sympathetic noises and then immediately forget you phoned because they’re not interested.” Since moving on loan from Arsenal, Vela has scored two crucial goals to earn the Baggies draws against Wolves and Stoke.
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