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Paolo Guerrero is back in the spotlight following a controversial incident with coach Guillermo ‘Chicho‘ Salas during the match between Alianza Lima and César Vallejo, part of the first round of the Closing Tournament of the **Liga 1 2024**. The Peruvian striker reportedly refused to enter the game in the second half, leading to an altercation with his coach.
The incident, which triggered speculation regarding Guerrero’s future with Vallejo, escalated to the point of an exchange of words between the player and Salas. The fallout from this clash might significantly impact Guerrero’s career and professional future.
Reports indicate that Guerrero refused to enter the field due to pending contract negotiations with Vallejo, and ongoing talks with Alianza Lima. Former footballer Diego Rebagliati revealed a detail that might shape Guerrero’s future.
Rebagliati stated that Alianza Lima is interested in signing the 40-year-old forward, but they must first ensure a clean break from his contract with Vallejo to avoid future legal complications. Guerrero’s potential return to Alianza Lima gained momentum following the departure of Kevin Serna to Fluminense and the proposed loan of Jeriel De Santis.
“The information I have is that Alianza Lima sees Paolo almost as a priority, but they need to make sure he is completely free of Vallejo, resolving any issues with them. We have nothing to do with that; if he is free and willing, a Peruvian striker would be beneficial to us. This is also in the context of Serna leaving and possibly De Santis going on loan,” said the former Sporting Cristal manager on the program ‘Al Ángulo’.
Diego Rebagliati highlighted inconsistencies surrounding the disagreement between Guerrero and César Vallejo. He mentioned an alleged agreement between Paolo Guerrero and club president Richard Acuña that prevented him from entering the match, despite him being on the bench and warming up.
“There are some things I don’t understand. Paolo Guerrero was part of the squad, dressed as a player, went to the bench, warmed up, and when they told him to come in, he told the coach he mightn’t play. I think those were the words, ‘no’ meaning I don’t want to. Either someone didn’t inform ‘Chicho’ Salas regarding the agreement, which is a strange agreement, or ‘Chicho’ Salas was informed and disregarded it, and figured if he told Guerrero to come in, he wouldn’t refuse in front of everyone,” said the sports commentator.
The former Sporting Cristal player emphasized that the agreement between Guerrero and the club president was kept secret, seemingly unknown to the coach and other players.
“The evidence of the live exchange, which is not staged, shows ‘Chicho‘ trying to convince Guerrero, and when he realizes he can’t, he tells the fitness trainer to tell Guerrero to sit down and warm up another player. You then see Paolo explaining to Carvallo why he wasn’t going to play, which means the players didn’t know either,” he concluded.
While the resolution of this situation remains uncertain, Guerrero continues training separately from the team under Guillermo Salas. On Monday, July 15, he was seen doing physical exercises and ball drills on his own. The same was observed on Tuesday, July 16, indicating that he is not part of the main team currently preparing for their match once morest Melgar on Saturday, July 20, at 3:15 p.m. in Arequipa.
Paolo Guerrero’s Controversial Absence Sparks Speculation About His Future at Cesar Vallejo
Guerrero’s Refusal to Enter the Match Fuels Tension
The Peruvian striker, Paolo Guerrero, found himself at the center of controversy following refusing to enter the match once morest Alianza Lima during the first round of Liga 1’s Closing Tournament. The incident led to a heated exchange with his coach, Guillermo "Chicho" Salas, sparking rumors regarding Guerrero’s future at Cesar Vallejo.
The 40-year-old forward’s reluctance to enter the game reportedly stemmed from unresolved contract issues and ongoing negotiations with Alianza Lima. This situation has fueled speculation regarding Guerrero’s potential return to the club he previously played for.
The "Intimate"s Interest in Guerrero’s Return
Former Peruvian footballer Diego Rebagliati, a prominent sports commentator, shed light on Alianza Lima’s interest in acquiring Guerrero. However, he emphasized that the "intimate" must first ensure a clean break from Guerrero’s current club commitments in order to avoid legal complications.
Rebagliati’s statements were made in the context of Alianza Lima’s recent departures, such as Kevin Serna who transferred to Fluminense, and the potential loan of Jeriel De Santis. Guerrero’s arrival might fill the void left by these players, providing a much-needed boost to the club’s forward line.
A Confusing Agreement and Unclear Communication
Rebagliati further revealed a puzzling agreement between Guerrero and Cesar Vallejo’s president, Richard Acuña, regarding the striker’s absence from the match once morest Alianza Lima. According to Rebagliati, the agreement involved Guerrero not entering the game, but the coach, Guillermo Salas, appeared unaware of this arrangement.
"There are things that I don’t quite understand," Rebagliati said. "The fact is that Paolo Guerrero was concentrated, he was on the list, he dressed as a footballer, he went to the bench, he went out to warm up and when they told him to come in, he told the coach that he mightn’t play. Either someone didn’t tell ‘Chicho’ Salas regarding the agreement… or ‘Chicho’ Salas was informed and didn’t pay much attention to that information."
The Fallout: Guerrero Training Separately
The controversy has had a tangible impact on Guerrero’s current situation at Cesar Vallejo. Since the incident, Guerrero has been training separately from the team, under the guidance of the club’s physical trainer. This separation highlights the ongoing tension between the player and his club, and the uncertainty surrounding his future.
Guerrero’s absence from the team during training sessions suggests a breakdown in communication and a lack of clarity regarding his place within the club’s plans. The situation is far from resolved, leaving both fans and analysts speculating regarding the player’s next move.
Guerrero’s Future Remains Uncertain
The "Predator" continues to train diligently, but his future remains unclear. The ongoing negotiations between Guerrero and Alianza Lima, coupled with the unresolved issue with Cesar Vallejo, have created a complex web of uncertainty for the striker.
Whether Guerrero will eventually join Alianza Lima, remain at Cesar Vallejo, or explore other options remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain: his refusal to enter the match once morest Alianza Lima has thrust him back into the spotlight and ignited a debate regarding his future in the Peruvian League.
