PSV head coach Phillip Cocu is expecting a quiet January, but the tying down of loanee Andres Guardado to a permanent deal has become an urgent priority.
- By David Lee Wheatley
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Signed in the summer on loan from Spanish side Valencia, it was initially agreed that an option to buy at the end of the loan period would not be included in order to avoid stunting the long-term development of starlet Jorrit Hendrix.
However, Guardado has performed reasonably well for the Eindhoven giants after a slow start to life in Dutch football, thus giving coach Cocu plenty to consider according to De Telegraaf.
Mexican international Guardado, 28, was a regular during five years with Deportivo La Coruna prior to a switch to Valencia in 2012.
His first season at the Mestalla was a success, but he fell out-of-favour afterwards and found himself farmed out to Bayer Leverkusen for six months before his stint in Holland began.
The midfielder’s versatility offers great options to Cocu both in the centre of midfield and on the left flank, which undoubtedly attracts the tactician to the thought of holding onto Guardado for a longer period.
With one year still remaining on his Valencia contract at the end of this campaign it’s expected the La Liga outfit would require a tidy sum in return for the player’s services, which may force PSV into a waiting game to eventually settle on an acceptable fee.
Guardado has featured in ten Eredivisie games so far, while also making four appearances in Europa League action. Significantly, he has started the last three fixtures in a row, which suggests his growing influence in the make-up of Cocu’s side.
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