Mascherano wants to quit West Ham

[Fiddy]

yeah. just the best of a bad bunch really. Emerson did ok for Boro too...Gilberto Silva has been very solid at Arsenal and is having a great season this year.

In general though, South American playmakers don't seem to cut it over here, but then how many top class ones have we had lately? Would love to see the likes of Messi/Aimar/Kaka etc in the Prem and how they did.

[Red Chilli]

FLMAO @ Crespo and Pellegrino.

Poyet wasn't a regular first team player for very long, more a bit part squad member. Solano has hardly pulled any trees up, is Peru officially South America or Central America? Not my strong point geography.

Gilberto Silva, well this is his first good season in my opinion.

All in all, South Americans do not achieve the same form in this country for whatever reason.

[Morph]

FLMAO @ Crespo and Pellegrino.

Poyet wasn't a regular first team player for very long, more a bit part squad member. Solano has hardly pulled any trees up, is Peru officially South America or Central America? Not my strong point geography.

Gilberto Silva, well this is his first good season in my opinion.

All in all, South Americans do not achieve the same form in this country for whatever reason.

Could that be because most of the best ones prefer to ply their trade in Spain tho, I mean really how many real top class South Americans have even entertained the idea of coming over here.

[captainfog]

In general though, South American playmakers don't seem to cut it over here, but then how many top class ones have we had lately? Would love to see the likes of Messi/Aimar/Kaka etc in the Prem and how they did.

Exactly, it's not as if we have had a constant stream of the best available south american talent crossing over to our shores.

If Spanish players like alonso, garcia and arteta can do it, then there is no reason why South American players can't

People have already mentioned the likes of Poyet and Solano who have done very well.

To a lesser extent Angel settled in fine (he is a bit pants but that has nothing to do with him not adjusting to the EPL)

As the EPL becomes richer then I think we will see more and more South American footballers playing in England and only then will be able to judge. Bring it on I say!

[Diego]

FLMAO @ Crespo and Pellegrino.

Poyet wasn't a regular first team player for very long, more a bit part squad member. Solano has hardly pulled any trees up, is Peru officially South America or Central America? Not my strong point geography.

Gilberto Silva, well this is his first good season in my opinion.

All in all, South Americans do not achieve the same form in this country for whatever reason.

pellegrino part was obviously a joke, but not crespo, ok he didn't set the world on fire but he scored goals and did ok imo...

[Red Chilli]

pellegrino part was obviously a joke, but not crespo, ok he didn't set the world on fire but he scored goals and did ok imo...

settled long term though? I think not.

[Morph]

settled long term though? I think not.

I wonder how different the champs league final would have been if he had settled in at Chelsea. Would we have beat the chavs in the Semi's, would we have had the memorable comeback in Istanbull, if he hadn't scored?

In some ways we can thank Chelsea and Hernan Crespo for the best night in our clubs recent past. Tick a boo son.

[tomasjj]

Well....Chilli?
Seems someone else answered it for me.

[Red_Polo]

FLMAO @ Crespo and Pellegrino.

Poyet wasn't a regular first team player for very long, more a bit part squad member. Solano has hardly pulled any trees up, is Peru officially South America or Central America? Not my strong point geography.

Gilberto Silva, well this is his first good season in my opinion.

All in all, South Americans do not achieve the same form in this country for whatever reason.

Peru is very much South America. Solano has IMO quite clearly been a success in this league over a long period, as have a number of others. Rafa was a bit unlucky not to sign him, I think he'd have suited us nicely.

The reason there aren't that many to name is because relatively speaking we just haven't had that many of them over here. I think ultimately whether an individual is successful in this league or not depends on their individual attributes rather than where they're from.

[tomasjj]

FLMAO @ Crespo and Pellegrino.

Poyet wasn't a regular first team player for very long, more a bit part squad member. Solano has hardly pulled any trees up, is Peru officially South America or Central America? Not my strong point geography.

Gilberto Silva, well this is his first good season in my opinion.

All in all, South Americans do not achieve the same form in this country for whatever reason.

Maybe, until now when the football league in England is getting even more prestigious and wealthy, the best South American players have been opting for Spain and Italy primarily?

I think I have a point....

[Red_Polo]

settled long term though? I think not.

Maybe not, but he didn't fail either did he? If your argument was Mascherano was too small, lightweight, and disinclined to get stuck into tackles, then you may have a case, but it seems to be your argument that we shouldn't sign him because he's Argie. Wait a minute, I've cracked this now. You are Mex and I claim my tenner

[Red Chilli]

Well I think Veron was rated rather highly when he came from Lazio to Man Utd for 29 million and then went to Chelsea for 16 million.
He was one of the highest rated midfielders in the world when he came over here and flopped spectacularly.

Anyone care to explain that?

[Red Chilli]

I'll make a list of those I need to write "I told you so" to if we sign him

[Diego]

how many world class south americans have been played in englan in the last 10 15 years...

veron was one, not as good as had hoped for but he did win the league with them...

crespo, did ok, but couldn't settle...

word champion gilberto silva seems to be loving life at arsenal...

tevez and macherano aren't cutting it at the moment...

how many more have their been of truely great players???

[Red_Polo]

Well I think Veron was rated rather highly when he came from Lazio to Man Utd for 29 million and then went to Chelsea for 16 million.
He was one of the highest rated midfielders in the world when he came over here and flopped spectacularly.

Anyone care to explain that?

Yeah but that's one player though. How do you explain Cheyrou? Because he was ****, not because he was French.

Veron failed because he wasn't suited to this league, that he was Argentinian was incidental. Take a look at Paletta, do we think he is unsuited? Not in my mind. Yet he is also Argentinian. There is no correlation developing here is there? Could it be possible that different players can have different attributes even if they are from the same country? I would say so.