The Basics
Age: 22
Club: Feyenoord
Nation: Mexico
Position: Striker
Footed: Left
Under contract until: 2026
Giménez came through Cruz Azul’s academy, which he joined in 2014, making his first team debut for the club aged 16 in August 2017. He had to wait almost two years for his next appearance and didn’t score his first senior goal until February 2020.
He became more involved in the first team in the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons but wasn’t prolific, scoring 14 times in 85 appearances over those two seasons.
But the striker started the 2022/23 campaign on fire, scoring five goals in five games before moving to Feyenoord in July 2022.
This red-hot form carried over to the Eredivisie, where Giménez netted 15 league goals and provided two assists in his first season, despite only starting 21 of his 32 appearances.
Although he represents Mexico, Giménez was actually born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His father Christian was also born in Argentina but played for Mexico. Giménez has ten caps for the national team and has scored two goals.
The Links
Neil Moxley of the Sunday People reported in April that Villa are “keeping tabs” on the Feyenoord striker.
The Scouting Report
Strengths
Giménez is most effective in the penalty area, where his movement and finishing ability allow him to poach goals.
He stays on the move in the box to find space and makes late, decisive runs towards goal to latch onto crosses and passes. Among forwards in the ‘Next 8’ leagues, Giménez ranks in the 98th percentile for touches in the opposition box.
(The ‘Next 8’ leagues are the MLS, Brazilian Série A, Dutch Eredivisie, English Championship, Mexican Liga MX, Portuguese Primeira Liga, Copa Libertadores and UEFA Europa Conference League).
The Mexican is a cool finisher, sliding the ball calmly into the net. He can also improvise to score with first time shots, with his weaker foot or the outside of his boot. He ranks in the 92nd percentile for non-penalty goals and the 96th for non-penalty expected goals (xG).
Plenty of his goals are headers; Giménez has an impressive leap and gets power behind his headed shots.
This aerial ability combined with his 6’0” stature give him a real physical presence up top. He uses his frame to lean on defenders and shield the ball before rolling them. Giménez can box out opponents and stay in front of them.
He can flick accurate headed passes onto teammates and help defend corners, often used at the front post. The striker ranks in the 82nd percentile for aerial duel win rate.
Giménez also has enough pace to run behind the back line. He positions himself between two defenders and looks for slide passes and has the speed to beat centre-backs to longer balls.
When the situation requires, he will come towards the ball to help teammates and link play. He has the ability to play clever passes between defenders and possesses the close control to receive the ball in tight areas.
His dribbling ability is such that he can knock drop his shoulder and knock the ball past defenders. Giménez looks in control with the ball at his feet, ranking in the 64th percentile for progressive carries and the 56thpercentile for successful take-ons.
On the defensive side, Giménez shows he can be a functional part of a high press, cutting off passing angles and applying pressure to defenders carrying the ball. He ranks in the 59th percentile for blocks.
Weaknesses
Giménez doesn’t hold the ball up as well as someone of his profile should at this stage. The ball doesn’t always stick when it’s played up to him and his passes can be loose. The Mexican ranks in the 42nd percentile for pass accuracy and the 14th percentile for miscontrols.
Although he does press from the front, it is often for show, and he doesn’t take any action once he gets to the ball for the most part. His ranks in the 29thpercentile for tackles and the 38th percentile for interceptions illustrate this.
Fit With Villa
Giménez would provide top competition for Ollie Watkins and could also play alongside him if required. Having the balance of a left and right footer up front would be appealing.
His trajectory has been positive in recent seasons and there are few true weaknesses to his game. The physical presence he provides would presumably translate well to the Premier League.
A transfer could be tricky as he has only been at Feyenoord for a year and will be playing in the Champions League next season if he stays.
But players generally don’t stay in the Netherlands for too long if teams from the top five European leagues come calling. Three years remaining on his contract likely wouldn’t be an impossible obstacle to overcome.
Transfer Targets Series
The Villa Ramble 
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