Liga MX leaders face reigning champs in ‘Junior Classic’

Cruz Azul could be facing a rebuild next season

Orbelín Pineda’s departure on a free has Cruz Azul management peeved since the playmaking midfielder did not allow the club to get anything in return.

The Cementeros front office insists it would not have stood in the way of Pineda’s dream to play in Europe as it sought to renew his contract over the summer, a transaction that would have brought economic benefits to La Noria in any eventual transfer deal.

Team executive Víctor Velázquez thinks “The Little Magician” had brokered an arrangement with La Liga’s Celta de Vigo months ago, so was unwilling to continue talks with Cruz Azul. Instead, he preferred to allow his contract to expire and facilitate the free move to the Spanish club, leaving the Cementeros empty-handed.

Meanwhile, Cruz Azul has similar concerns with regard to midfield stud Luis Romo and Peru international Yoshimar Yotún, both of whom are out of contract in December.

The front office has been unable to negotiate new deals with either player, both of whom are eager to play across the pond as soon as possible. That means three key cogs in “The Blue Machine” could be walking out the door after the season without any financial compensation.

The economic mess in the Cementeros’ accounts can be traced to the crisis caused by former team president Guillermo Álvarez. The long-time club executive has been a fugitive since federal authorities last year began investigating accusations of embezzlement and money-laundering.

With three big names on the verge of departing and no starlets in the academy system, Cruz Azul fans could be staring at some bleak seasons on the horizon.