Fall from grace

Remember when Giovani Dos Santos was the Next Big Thing? When he was supposed to follow in the footsteps of giants at Barcelona?

That is ancient history by now.

Dos Santos has been loaned out by EPL side Tottenham Hotspur and will now suit up for Championship side Ipswich Town.

It wasn't too long ago that Dos Santos was one of Mexico's best-ever prospects, a player who was ready to star for both club and country for a good decade, that was set to give the Mexican national team a different kind of talent, along the lines of Ronaldinho, and CONCACAF better watch out.

Now, he's on Ipswich Town. I'm not sure if the average Mexican soccer fan knows much about Tottenham but I can almost guarantee you they know virtually nothing about Ipswich Town. Heck, I know virtually nothing about Ipswich Town.

I don't know when the last time Ipswich Town was in the Premiership, or how they're doing in the Championship, or how Gio fits in and what his chances are of playing. But I do know that Ipswich is a far cry from Barcelona. It's banishment, really. And if he's going to get banished from Barca and the EPL, why not play in Mexico? Seems to me, playing for Atlas or Morelia would be better than playing for Ipswich Town.

Still, Gio's star is fading, even if he were playing in Mexico. He's not the wunderkind anymore, not the Next Big Thing.

At this point, he's not a Sure Thing at all.

Gio a no go

Giovani Dos Santos won't be part of the Mexican squad that faces Honduras in a critical World Cup qualifier on Nov. 19. Dos Santos will have his ankle operated on and is out four to six weeks.

Perhaps that may explain some of his tough times with Tottenham as Dos Santos has not played in the last four league games.

Whatever the case, Dos Santos needs surgery and will be lost to El Tri for the duration of this year.

Gio on the move again?

Can it be possible? Giovani Dos Santos, former Barcelona prospect, now with Tottenham, will move again?

Rumors broke last week that Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has shown interest in the young Mexican and may make a move for Dos Santos come January.

Gio hasn't exactly torn apart the EPL. He's started just two of the six Premier League games he's played in and has not scored a goal. He's played in nine games overall, two UEFA Cup games and a Carling Cup match. Tottenham sit in last place in the EPL table.

Now, a move so suddenly may not necessarily be cause for concern. If Dos Santos is struggling to adjust the club or the country, perhaps a change of scenery would suit him well. But this may be more indicative of Dos Santos. Maybe he's not suited for the English style of play and would be better off somewhere else in Spain. Or maybe he's not quite the super talent he's been made out to be and is better off in a less rigorous league.

Whatever the case may be, Dos Santos could soon find himself with his third club in a span of six or seven months. And that does not bode well for any player, talented prospect or otherwise.