Liverpool FC Forum

by **Ace Ventura** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 10:30 am

andy_g wrote:i think the spain has a very different work permit policy than the UK and its much easier for young south american players to play there. look at the situation with us and mark gonzalez, where this lad messi (who is a real talent) can go straight in and play for barca. having said that though, he has played for them in europe a few times but only just broken in the team for la liga having got his spanish passport sorted out and so not breaking the number of foreigners rule.

so in spain they still have certain restrictions on foreign players but the market for south american talent will always be more open as there's (nearly) always a way to find enough of a spanish family connection for that second passport.

That makes sense, due to the latin- south american connections...its probably the same with Italy as well.
It is frustrating though because south america constantly produces world class players and not very many end up in England.

by **JC_81** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 10:51 am

On the south american issue, it's hardly surprising that most of the top players from there end up in Spain. Apart from the fact that the spanish clubs have been scouting over there for years and the work permit issue, the language is the main factor imo.

The Spanish clubs can get these guys at a younger age than english clubs. Not too many 17/18 year old south americans would relish coming to england when they don't speak the language, don't know anyone etc. If you have a straight choice between England and Spain, you're obviously going to go to spain at that stage of your career.

by **daddyo** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 10:54 am

Ace Ventura wrote:
andy_g wrote:i think the spain has a very different work permit policy than the UK and its much easier for young south american players to play there. look at the situation with us and mark gonzalez, where this lad messi (who is a real talent) can go straight in and play for barca. having said that though, he has played for them in europe a few times but only just broken in the team for la liga having got his spanish passport sorted out and so not breaking the number of foreigners rule.

so in spain they still have certain restrictions on foreign players but the market for south american talent will always be more open as there's (nearly) always a way to find enough of a spanish family connection for that second passport.

That makes sense, due to the latin- south american connections...its probably the same with Italy as well.
It is frustrating though because south america constantly produces world class players and not very many end up in England.

All good valid 'reasons' why we don't often see South Americans here.

Factor in also the language and weather situations.

So many South American countries have 'similar' climates and speak (slight variations) of the same language, making it easier on the individual to switch countries without having to encounter the difficulties of being a 'foreigner'.

So many people are daunted by the prospect of being in another country, culture and religion in some cases that they are prepared to forego the larger pay packet and potentially greater career prospects for a less transitional life.

I always remember the dude from Brazil (mirandinho) playing for the barcodes wearing gloves, at the time everyone thought it was hilarious, I wondered just how uncomfortable he must have been feeling.

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