Paletta Sold

[Redlife]

An old article from the BBC, printed in January of this year.

Gabriel Paletta's problems at Liverpool should come as no surprise - and should serve as a warning to young South Americans in similar situations.

Last year this column argued that the Argentine centre back's move from Banfield to Anfield was a case of too much, too soon.

There is a general rule when a player steps up a level, whether it be from juniors to reserves, from the reserves to the first team or from club to international football.

Usually he will be OK if he can reproduce the quality of performance he was producing in the lower level.

The problem in Paletta's case is that this does not apply. He has to learn to defend in a different way.

Banfield are a traditional but relatively minor Argentine club, who play in tight, cramped stadium.

They are not under the same pressure to attack as one of the big teams.

It means that back at home Paletta was defending much closer to his own goal.

If the ball was played behind him, it was the keeper's. A pair of holding midfielders swept up the danger in front of him.

However, at Liverpool the defensive line is higher up the field.

Gabriel Paletta struggles against Arsenal striker Julio Baptista
His feeble efforts against Arsenal have prompted speculation over a loan deal to Spanish side Gimnastic

In a type of football much faster than anything he has seen before he is taking up an unaccustomed position - one which all the while threatens to expose his lack of mobility.

It is no wonder he has had problems. He has taken a leap which represents a dangerous risk at this stage in his career.

There was a half way house between Banfield and top-class European football.

Before Liverpool came in for him, Buenos Aires giants River Plate were very keen on Paletta.

They were so close to signing him that he was even named in their squad for last year's Copa Libertadores.

Joining River would have been the perfect move.

While staying in his own culture he would have learnt much more about how to defend in an attacking team. Make a success of that, and the doors to Europe are open.

Paletta skipped a stage, and is paying the price.

It happens with so many South American careers and it is not hard to understand why such mistakes are made.

From the player's point of view, when the Europeans come knocking it is difficult to refuse, even if the move is premature.

Football is by its very nature an insecure profession. He might break a leg next month, and the chance may never come again.

And there are plenty of other forces pushing him across the Atlantic.

His agent may well be slobbering over a cut of the deal. Or his club might need the revenue to pay last month's wage bill. Or his registration could belong to an investment consortium anxious for a quick return.

Promising young South American players can find themselves surrounded with an excess of financial interests, and a deficiency of good career advice.

That's perfectly sensible. I really don't think Paletta is a terrible player. That piece makes a good point about him having to learn to defend differently. His problems came when the ball was played behind him and he was forced to turn, something he wasn't so used to. It's a shame.


As has been said though, fair play to Rafa. No hanging around.

[El Jefecito]

Read somewhere that we retained 50% ownership and had the first option on him.

Maybe Rafa hasn't given up quite yet.

[-V-]

Well done Rafa. Houllier would have sent him out on loan for 5 years rather than accept he's crap

[JohnDoe]

Surely someone's coming in then.

[badpiggy]

An old article from the BBC, printed in January of this year.

Gabriel Paletta's problems at Liverpool should come as no surprise - and should serve as a warning to young South Americans in similar situations.

Last year this column argued that the Argentine centre back's move from Banfield to Anfield was a case of too much, too soon.

There is a general rule when a player steps up a level, whether it be from juniors to reserves, from the reserves to the first team or from club to international football.

Usually he will be OK if he can reproduce the quality of performance he was producing in the lower level.

The problem in Paletta's case is that this does not apply. He has to learn to defend in a different way.

Banfield are a traditional but relatively minor Argentine club, who play in tight, cramped stadium.

They are not under the same pressure to attack as one of the big teams.

It means that back at home Paletta was defending much closer to his own goal.

If the ball was played behind him, it was the keeper's. A pair of holding midfielders swept up the danger in front of him.

However, at Liverpool the defensive line is higher up the field.

Gabriel Paletta struggles against Arsenal striker Julio Baptista
His feeble efforts against Arsenal have prompted speculation over a loan deal to Spanish side Gimnastic

In a type of football much faster than anything he has seen before he is taking up an unaccustomed position - one which all the while threatens to expose his lack of mobility.

It is no wonder he has had problems. He has taken a leap which represents a dangerous risk at this stage in his career.

There was a half way house between Banfield and top-class European football.

Before Liverpool came in for him, Buenos Aires giants River Plate were very keen on Paletta.

They were so close to signing him that he was even named in their squad for last year's Copa Libertadores.

Joining River would have been the perfect move.

While staying in his own culture he would have learnt much more about how to defend in an attacking team. Make a success of that, and the doors to Europe are open.

Paletta skipped a stage, and is paying the price.

It happens with so many South American careers and it is not hard to understand why such mistakes are made.

From the player's point of view, when the Europeans come knocking it is difficult to refuse, even if the move is premature.

Football is by its very nature an insecure profession. He might break a leg next month, and the chance may never come again.

And there are plenty of other forces pushing him across the Atlantic.

His agent may well be slobbering over a cut of the deal. Or his club might need the revenue to pay last month's wage bill. Or his registration could belong to an investment consortium anxious for a quick return.

Promising young South American players can find themselves surrounded with an excess of financial interests, and a deficiency of good career advice.

good man fat tony. was going to ask if anyone could locate tht article. very interesting reading.

[Shaggy]

Insua has joined on a permanent deal too, which is pleasing.

[homer1]

Insua has joined on a permanent deal too, which is pleasing.

I would love to see him playing in an otherwise full strength team, I don't think for a second that he will look out of place or weaken the team in any way - the lad looks really comfortable on the ball, gets stuck in & joins in the attack without needing to be promoted to do so

[Morph]

Insua has joined on a permanent deal too, which is pleasing.

apparently as part of the deal we made Insuas loan permanent, probably a straight swap

ya don't say

[thesilverfoxlfc]

Must of been brutel in training as well as in matches....he's not even been given a chance by going out on loan

[Rhys]

he was good in the first few games he played, i can remember a few people saying he was going to be brilliant in the future. it all went downhill from there though he was never really going to make it here and its good to see rafa once again shipping out the deadwood from our team.

anyone know the fee, or was it just a straight swap for insua?

[Growler]

Apparantly 50% sell on fee, plus Insua. sounds like a Win win situation for me.