If this summer’s transfer window is any indication, we can look forward to one of the most exciting European seasons in decades. With the three most expensive transfers in the history of the game recently made for amounts previously unimaginable, the stakes are higher than ever.

As is generally the case, only the biggest clubs are making the big purchases, but the less-established clubs also are making some interesting buys. And as is usually the case, South Americans have been among the most mobile during the transfer window, with several making high-profile moves to and across Europe.

South Americans have become an integral part of European soccer. And while Spanish, Italian, German and Portuguese clubs traditionally have accounted for stockpiling players from the region, English clubs recently have caught up after realizing the kind of impact they can make, both in the trophy department and the bank account.

Here are the top 10 South American players who have swapped teams ahead of the 2009-10 European club season:

1. Kaká (Real Madrid)

The 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year’s mega-move to los Galácticos from AC Milan may have been eclipsed by the record-breaking $131 million transfer of his new Portuguese teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, but Kaká is well aware that at Madrid, he’ll be the one calling the shots. The impressive track record of the playmaker suggests that he’ll be an instant success at the Santiago Bernabéu, even if Spanish soccer will be a new experience for him. Kaká has the required skill and experience to succeed at the club, and he’ll benefit from the loads of talent around him.

However, it will be up to Madrid’s new Chilean coach, Manuel Pellegrini, formerly of Villarreal, to get the most out of the Brazilian. With so much star power in the squad this season, it wouldn’t be any surprise if Kaká were to be overshadowed by Ronaldo (much like Kaká did to Ronaldinho with Brazil and Milan). Kaká pretty much owned Milan during the six years he spent there, but that may not be the case at Madrid. But if Kaká pulls the strings and Real manages to gel, los Merengues could be unstoppable.

2. Diego (Juventus)

For years, the Brazilian has been on the agenda of several of Europe’s top clubs. Finally, after much speculation, he sealed a high-profile move to 27-time Italian champion Juventus. Diego is a class act and has the potential to flourish at a club that will be highly competitive next season. If he’s able to take command of the midfield, as he did with Werder Bremen, “The Old Lady” will be a force to be reckoned with.

Diego’s style of play is ideal for Serie A and particularly for a club with the ambition of Juventus. He will have the opportunity to prove himself in one of Europe’s top three leagues, and he promises to deliver the goods. Diego often has been overlooked by Brazil boss Dunga because of his desire to remain in Germany. With the World Cup just around the corner, his move couldn’t have come at a better time. Juve’s other South American reinforcements — Felipe Melo and Martín Cáceres — also are expected to turn on the style.

3. Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)

Traitor or not, Tévez will have the opportunity to demonstrate that he’s still a world-class striker after a horrid spell at Old Trafford. The exciting Argentine was presented with limited opportunities by Alex Ferguson at Man. United, even if he made a telling contribution whenever he was called upon. “Carlitos” rescued United on several occasions, but was treated unfairly by a club that initially wasn’t willing to purchase him on a permanent deal. But even if the English champions ended up offering the player an eventual contract, Tévez agreed to join its cross-town rivals instead, becoming the first player to switch between the two Manchester clubs in 10 years.

At first it seemed Tévez was only in it for the money, or perhaps to irritate his former club. But City has signed plenty of reinforcements and has the potential to be a serious Premier League contender. But with so many options in the City attack (including Robinho, Roque Santa Cruz and Emmanuel Adebayor), Tévez knows he can’t afford to slack off.

4. Diego Milito (Inter Milan)

One of the more prolific strikers in the world, Milito’s scoring record is nothing short than amazing. Since arriving on the European scene with Genoa five years ago, he has proven to be dangerous, and his transfer to Inter was a reward for his hard work. Often overlooked because of his low profile, the Argentine is extremely consistent, and his attacking partnership with Inter’s latest signing, Cameroonian Samuel Eto’o, could be extraordinary. If Milito gets the right service from his teammates, he’ll finish among the leading scorers of Serie A again next season. He got his Inter career off to a perfect start on Sunday by scoring twice as his team beat archrival AC Milan 2-0 in the World Football Challenge in Foxborough, Mass.

5. Nilmar (Villarreal)

After a frustrating first stint in Europe with Lyon, Nilmar decided it was time to try his luck again. Last Saturday, he became the most expensive signing in the history of Villarreal after completing a $15 million move from Internacional of Brazil. Nilmar should provide immediate help for the Yellow Submarine, which has been one of Spain’s most consistent teams in recent years. Nilmar is best known for his speed and dribbling ability, and the explosive attacker could take La Liga by storm. If he manages to adapt to Spanish soccer quickly, he could be one of the revelations of the competition. A good season with Villarreal certainly would improve his chances of making Brazil’s World Cup squad.

6. Antonio Valencia (Manchester United)

Rather surprisingly, Valencia was brought in as a replacement for Ronaldo. How’s that for pressure? The Red Devils were expected to recruit a more established player, but the Ecuadorian winger proved his worth in the Premier League with Wigan Athletic last season and has the talent to become a household name.

Few South Americans have succeeded at Old Trafford in the past, and Valencia’s signing can be described as somewhat of a gamble, especially because he’s only 23 and has yet to play for a major European club. But Ferguson has plenty of experience in the business and believes Valencia is more than capable of replacing Ronaldo, even if the Portuguese superstar scored 26 goals with the club last season — an exceptional figure for a winger.

7. Lúcio (Inter Milan)

After five predominantly successful years with Bayern Munich, where he won three league and German Cup doubles, Lúcio decided it was time to part ways with the club and completed a lucrative move to the defending Italian champions. The Brazilian national-team captain is one of the most efficient center backs in Europe, and his experience can make Inter even stronger this season. The Nerazzurri may have won the Scudetto four seasons in a row, but will give all that up for Champions League glory next season. The addition of Lúcio will surely boost its chances of claiming Europe’s biggest club competition for the first time in 44 years.

8. Javier Saviola (Benfica)

“El Conejo” f
inally signed for a club where he’ll be able to play week-in, week-out. The Argentine is a very capable striker, but ever since his incredible introduction to European soccer in his first season at Barcelona eight years ago, he has struggled to find his top form. After a miserable time at Real Madrid, where he was never taken seriously, Saviola will be hoping to prove his worth at Benfica. With three goals in his first three games for the Portuguese giants, signs are looking very good. Benfica’s two Brazilian signings, Keirrison (on loan from Barcelona) and Ramires, are also expected to make an impact.

9. Javier Pastore (Palermo)

The Argentine starlet is blessed with incredible skill and has the potential to become a superstar in Serie A this season. The fact that he spurned the opportunity to join Manchester United or AC Milan in favor of Palermo might be a good move: He’ll be guaranteed regular first-team action.

After a phenomenal season in Argentina where, along with Matías De Federico, he transformed Huracán into a serious championship contender, much is expected of Pastore. There’s no question about his ability, but in order for the Sicilians to get the most out of him, he needs to adapt quickly to one of the toughest leagues in the world. Only 20, there’s plenty of time for the lanky attacking midfielder to make his mark on the league and possibly move to a bigger club in the future.

10. Lisandro López (Lyon)

After four extremely successful seasons at FC Porto, “Licha” agreed to join Lyon for a club-record fee of $39 million. As the permanent replacement of Karim Benzema — who moved to Real Madrid — the Argentine has big shoes to fill and will be under pressure to perform. Lyon isn’t a club that normally dishes out that amount of cash for a player and will be expecting miracles from the former Porto star striker. But López’s track record speaks for itself — with 49 goals over four seasons with the Portuguese powerhouse, he promises to be an instant success in France.

Gregory Sica

Article at SI.com

Southamericanfutbol.com

There’s only one Carlos Tévez. With a move away from Old Trafford now almost a formality, several clubs continue to fight for the striker’s much sought-after signature, making it one of the most long-running transfer sagas in recent history. The biggest loser is Manchester United, which hesitated in offering the Argentine star a permanent deal because his $37.5 million buyout fee seemed excessive.

Tévez did all he could to remain with the Red Devils, but he has been forced to look elsewhere. “El Apache” grew increasingly frustrated with how he had been treated by Man. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who overlooked him in several of United’s key games last season, including the UEFA Champions League final (Tévez was a second-half substitute). Despite his impressive scoring ratio, Tévez had limited opportunities with the club, which has left him no choice but to turn his back on United and listen to other offers.

Like other talented South Americans, most notably Diego Forlán, Juan Sebastián Verón, Kléberson and Gabriel Heinze, Tévez has received unfair treatment from Ferguson. There’s certainly an argument to be made that Ferguson doesn’t know how to get the most out of the South American players he signs. Interestingly, most of these players went on to achieve wide success at other clubs after being shown the door at Old Trafford. Forlán is the prime example: Since leaving in 2004, he has gone on to win the European Golden Boot twice as the continent’s top scorer. Tévez may follow in his footsteps.

Ferguson may have his reasons — after all, he’s one of the most celebrated managers in history — but not everyone thinks alike. Tévez’s contributions at United may not have convinced the Scotsman, but they impressed rival clubs who are willing to dish out large sums of cash in an attempt to sign him. While English clubs Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool are the frontrunners to secure his services, Real Madrid and Inter Milan have also joined the race.

No matter which of these clubs Tévez finally joins, he’s destined to be successful. At United, he displayed why he is considered to be one of the most exciting attackers in the game. If he ends up signing for another Premier League club, he may have the opportunity to come back to haunt Man U. Tévez not only will be motivated by playing week-in, week-out, but a starting role at a competitive club, he’d improve his chances of earning a regular place with the Argentine national team. With the World Cup just around the corner this would be a smart move.

Here are Tévez’s five most likely destinations, in order of their likelihood:

1. Manchester City. It seems as if Man. City is linked with pretty much everybody these days, and the club is confident about securing Tévez’s services. What gives City the edge over other clubs is the fact that it has no financial constraints and, as was the case when it signed Brazilian striker Robinho from Real Madrid, it can make a giant offer for Tévez. Robinho has asked for the Argentine to join him at City, and the fact that the club is willing to pay the player a weekly salary of $230,000 (a 75 percent increase on his current salary) means a deal may be too good to refuse.

What reduces the chances of it happening, however, is that he may see such a move as a step backwards. City isn’t a European powerhouse, and even if it does become the new version of Chelsea in the near future, Tévez wants instant success. Having won titles at Man. United, Boca Juniors and Corinthians, Tévez would prefer a bigger challenge. But money talks — if City offers him a lucrative deal, Carlitos won’t hesitate to accept it.

2. Chelsea. The Blues are in tatters and will be hoping to rebuild in order to be a force next season. For years, Tévez has been on Chelsea’s agenda, and the club finally has a good shot. Earlier in the week, newly named manager Carlo Ancelotti reportedly called Tévez in an attempt to persuade him to move to Stamford Bridge. The new Chelsea boss is a fan of the Argentine, and Tévez was apparently “stunned to get the call from Ancelotti, but also very pleased.” If Tévez were to sign for the west London club, he could be part of the most successful Chelsea side ever. Close ties between Tévez’s agent, Kia Joorabchian, and club owner Roman Abramovich improve the chances of making this move happen.

3. Real Madrid. Despite saying he’d prefer to stay in England “because it is the best league in the world,” Tévez has expressed his desire to play for Real Madrid. Los Merengues this month made the two biggest signings of the year, purchasing Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaká for a whopping $223 million. Now the Spanish club is focused on capturing a high-profile striker. With David Villa and Forlán now out of the picture, Tévez is its main target. He could be the latest addition of the “new” Galácticos, and an attacking partnership with compatriot Gonzalo Higuaín has the potential to be one of the deadliest in Europe.

Madrid’s archrival Barcelona also showed an interest in el Apache, but that faded once the defending champions targeted Zlatan Ibrahimovic. With Barça now out of the race, Madrid is the non-English club with the greatest shot at snapping up Carlitos. But is Real willing to spend big money for him?

4. Liverpool. The prospect of Tévez moving to Anfield won’t go down too well with Manchester United fans, but the reality is Liverpool would make much better use of his services. Rafa Benítez has stated that he’s searching for a capable striker to complement Fernando Torres, and he believes Tévez meets all the requirements. Tévez is keen on staying in England, and a move to Liverpool would be ideal. Not only would he be guaranteed a starting role, but he’d be reunited with close friend Javier Mascherano, who not only shared the same dressing room with him at Corinthians and West Ham, but continues to do so with the Argentine national team. And with a one-two punch of Torres and Tévez up top, Liverpool would be a serious threat to win its first EPL title in 20 years.

5. Inter Milan. Inter has made a reputation for signing some of the best strikers in the game, and the club believes Tévez would be an instant hit at the San Siro. Although they claimed their fourth straight Serie A last season, the Nerazzurri are more concerned about finding European glory, and it needs talent for that. In recent months, Tévez has been on the radar of both Inter, AC Milan and Juventus, but according to reports, his preference would be to leave England only for a top Spanish club. Serie A has lost heaps of prestige in the past few years, reflected by the poor showings of Italian clubs in the Champions League.

Still, any player would have to consider a move to Inter and to play for José Mourinho. Tévez may listen to the advice of Diego Maradona, who claimed “Italy and Inter in particular would be excellent solutions” to his lack of playing time at United. With the departure of Adriano and with Ibrahimovic’s status still up in the air, Inter would be a more than viable option.

Gregory Sica

Article at Si.com

Southamericanfutbol.com

After a couple of years with nothing to show, FC Barcelona has finally been transformed into the most feared club in Europe. The Catalan giants have been nothing short of extraordinary this season, and if their magnificent form continues, they could be on track for a rare triple.

Despite the overwhelming depth in its star-studded squad, Barça’s standout performer this season once again has been Argentine sensation Lionel Messi. The 21-year-old winger has been at his best, and is a major reason why the club has torn apart all opposition this season.

Many expected Barcelona to struggle with the departure of superstars Ronaldinho (to AC Milan) and Deco (to Chelsea), but it’s been completely the opposite. Barça hasn’t looked this strong in years, and many consider its success to be due to a solid group effort. Captain Carles Puyol has been a juggernaut on defense; both Andrés Iniesta and Xavi have been incredibly efficient in the midfield; while Samuel Eto’o has rediscovered his touch, and leads the scoring charts with 16 goals (Barça has scored a staggering 54 goals in 18 league games this season).

But Messi has been the biggest difference. With the promotion of Pep Guardiola to manager, La Pulga has been provided with all the necessary freedom to work his magic on the field, and he has used this to take complete responsibility of the side, to the extent that Roni and Deco have been completely forgotten at the Camp Nou, even if not too long ago, they were key players of the squad.

Some consolation for finishing second-best to Cristiano Ronaldo for the FIFA World Player of the Year award, Messi has been Barça’s main inspiration this season. Not only has he impressed with his incredible high-speed runs and assists, but he has also found the back of the net on a regular basis, with 20 goals in all competitions. This has helped his team to a massive 12-point advantage over archrival Real Madrid atop the table. In the highly anticipated clash between the teams in December, Messi scored a classy goal in a hard-fought 2-0 victory in front of nearly 100,000 at the Camp Nou.

Messi has the opportunity to increase his goal tally during the return leg of the round of 16 stage of the Copa del Rey against Atlético Madrid at the Camp Nou on Wednesday. He scored a superb hat-trick in Barça’s impressive 3-1 win in Madrid last week. Such a performance led to ongoing praise from the Spanish press, which even went so far as to call him an “extraterrestrial.”

At this rate, it would be no surprise if Messi guides Barcelona to three titles this season (a rare feat for even a club of Barça’s stature). As we reach the halfway stage of the Spanish league season, Barça is in a commanding position and is looking equally strong in both the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League. There’s no question that the Blaugrana’s main objective is Europe’s ultimate prize. Having won the tournament in ’06, they will be hoping to make the most of that valuable experience in order to claim the trophy for the third time in May at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.

When the knockout rounds begin in late February, Barcelona will be up against an extremely difficult Lyon side. The French outfit has won the Ligue 1 title for the past seven consecutive years, and is likely to give Barça a run for its money. It will perhaps be Barça’s biggest test of the season.

But with Messi on the field, Barcelona should prove too strong as it closes in on a quarterfinal appearance. From there, the opponent could be any of several high-quality teams, including Manchester United, Liverpool, Juventus, Inter Milan or Real Madrid. Yet based on current form, Barça is clearly the main contender for the title.

With so much at stake, Messi’s influence will be vital for the success of the side. If he continues to make such a contribution, he could have an incredible year. Not only will he be expected to turn on the style with Barcelona, but also with the Argentine national team, which will be hoping to return to its winning ways when South American qualifying for the 2010 World Cup resumes in March, with Diego Maradona as the new Argentina coach.

On Monday Maradona, arguably the greatest player in history, declared: “I would love it if Messi would become, not the new Maradona, but instead of this, better than Maradona.”

In order to achieve such an accomplishment, Messi not only will have to perform at an extraordinary level for Barcelona, but he will have to lead Argentina to international glory — essentially to a World Cup title in South Africa. (Maradona starred as Argentina lifted the World Cup for the second time in 1986.)

But the possibility to replicate what Maradona managed more than two decades ago is still far away. For now, Messi will have to concentrate on achieving as much success as possible with Barça. As the second half of the season approaches, Messi will be expected to establish himself as the best player in Europe. In order to do that, he’ll have to continue to dazzle. With arguably the strongest Barcelona team in years at his side, he has few excuses.

Gregory Sica

Article at Si.com

Southamericanfutbol.com

After years of ups and downs, it finally seems like Inter Milan has reached its full potential. The Italian Serie A leaders have been sensational this season, and if they continue their outstanding form, there’s little doubt they’ll cruise to their third successive Scudetto in May.

Roberto Mancini‘s side has swept aside all opposition so far this season, and has remained undefeated in league play. In the UEFA Champions League, it’s been a similar story, as the Nerazzurri won their qualifying group in style and are strong candidates for the title.

Much of the reason for Inter’s success is the overwhelming depth of its squad, where Latin players have taken center stage. When Inter defeated Siena 3-2 on Sunday, eight members of its starting 11 were Latin Americans.

In fact, 14 players in Inter’s 27-man squad are South American (and one more is Central American), a tradition the club has carried for years. With seven Argentines, four Brazilians, two Colombians, a Chilean and a Honduran, the Latin representation in the current squad is overwhelming.

While Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic has accounted for 11 of Inter’s 40 goals in Serie A this season, Julio Cruz has also been terrific with 10 of his own. The underrated Argentine striker has established himself as an important figure in the Inter attack and has helped fans forget about Adriano, who was sent to São Paulo on loan. Honduran striker David Suazo has also shown flashes of brilliance after a slow start until sustaining a thigh strain last week.

But much of the success of Inter’s strikers is credit to the tireless efforts of its midfielders, who not only break down attacks, but also help assist their front men. While Argentine internationals Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Zanetti have been brilliant this season, they have been complemented by the work of Brazil’s Maxwell and Argentine substitute Nicolás Burdisso, particularly when moving forward.

Then there’s Luis Jiménez – the highly rated Chilean international has been sensational in recent weeks and has added an extra dimension to the Inter attack. Since arriving from Lazio this season, the classy anchor man has been Inter’s main revelation and could be destined for superstardom (he’s already a favorite of club president Massimo Moratti).

On defense, the likes of Brazilian Maicon, Colombian Iván Córdoba and Argentine veteran Walter Samuel have been as strong as ever, giving Inter the best defensive record in the league, with only 11 goals conceded in 18 matches. Brazilian goalkeeper Júlio César has also been in great form this season, and his performance was much of the reason why Inter escaped from Siena with three points on Sunday.

With this much talent it’s no wonder Inter (which has only four Italians on the 27-man squad) has a seven-point advantage over second-place Roma in the Serie A standings. And unlike the past two seasons, in which Inter benefited from weaker competition after the Italian Calciopoli match-fixing scandal, the Nerazzurri are proving they can finally win the championship without anyone’s help.

Inter has shown its strength against its main challengers: It thrashed Roma 4-1 at the Stadio Olimpico in September and picked up a vital 1-1 draw against Juventus in Turin in November. Then, in late December, Inter came from behind to edge city rival AC Milan 2-1 at the San Siro, with goals from Cruz and Cambiasso.

At this pace, the Scudetto may be a formality; the club’s main season objective continues to be the European Cup, a trophy it hasn’t won since the 1964-65 season. Inter has emerged as one of the favorites to win the Champions League after a superb start in which in won its group in style, with five victories in six matches thanks to a 12-4 goal differential.

But Mancini’s side will need all the inspiration from its Latin players when it faces Liverpool in the round of 16, which begins next month. Although Liverpool has reached two of the last three Champions League finals, Inter is by far the stronger squad at present.

The experience of elimination on the away-goals rule in last year’s round of 16 against Valencia should also play in Inter’s advantage — it knows it can’t afford to slip up at home if it wants to continue to progress in the competition.

But when it comes to flair, good ball movement and danger on the attack, Mancini’s men are the most in-form in Europe right now. If they want to stay that way, the Latin contingent needs to stay consistent — at this rate, they could win everything.

Gregory Sica

Article at Si.com

Southamericanfutbol.com

When Carlos Tévez joined Manchester United from West Ham United last August, many were unsure how much of an impact the tricky Argentine would have on his new club.

Sure, he had already demonstrated his quality in the Premiership, having scored seven times in his final 10 league matches last season as he helped West Ham escape from relegation. But despite his extraordinary late-season revival, Tévez had to wait 20 matches before scoring his first goal for the Hammers.

Early signs suggested that his controversial transfer to Manchester United could also get off to a slow start, but Alex Ferguson didn’t allow this to happen, giving the striker the necessary confidence to have a much smoother transition than was expected.

On New Year’s Day, Tévez scored his 10th goal in a United shirt, earning his side a vital 1-0 victory over Birmingham City at Old Trafford, a result which put Man U within two points of league leader Arsenal.

Tévez, who played arguably his best match for United this season, proved how important his understanding with Cristiano Ronaldo is for the side, and it was a brilliant combination between the two that led to his match-winner. Tévez exchanged an overhead kick with the Portuguese international, who assisted him with a sublime back-heel before Tévez slotted the ball into the back of the net.

His understanding with strike-partner Wayne Rooney has also caught the eye. Prior to signing for the club, many were afraid that Tévez’s characteristics were much too similar to that of Rooney’s, and there was the concern that United’s attack would lack effectiveness because of the absence of a traditional target man.

But quite the contrary, both players have complemented each other very well this season, giving United one of its most aggressive strike partnerships in years. The club has had a number of highly effective partnerships in the past, but none have been even close to as exciting as this one. With the business end of the Premier League and the knockout rounds of the Champions League approaching the Rooney-Tévez partnership is likely to be at its very best.

There’s no question United’s swoop of Tévez has already paid dividends. Unlike other South American players who had previously played for the club, including Juan Sebastián Verón, Diego Forlán and Kléberson, Tévez has immediately adapted to the pressures involved with playing for the club.

The gifted Argentine — who achieved superstar status in South America with Boca Juniors and then Corinthians before immigrating to Europe — has proven that skill, combined with a determined attitude, can go along way in English soccer. This is the reason why he can now be considered one of the deadliest strikers in Europe.

In this short time “Sir Charles,” as he is often called by the press, has demonstrated that he is a player capable of rising to the biggest of occasions, after having scored vital goals against Liverpool and Chelsea this season.

Rather ironically, on the final match of last season, a brilliant Tévez goal was the difference as West Ham edged Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford. According to reports, his performance was so impressive that Ferguson asked his directors to begin negotiations with the player immediately after the match.

What has helped Tévez’s cause is that his arrival coincided with that of a number of other highly talented players, including Anderson, Nani and Owen Hargreaves. The overall depth of this season’s squad is without doubt the best it has been in a long time, and it suggests that United will challenge for each and every possible title this season.

There’s no doubt that the UEFA Champions League is United’s main priority this season. The Red Devils haven’t been able to lift the trophy since 1999, when a sensational late rally saw them edge Bayern Munich 2-1 for the title at the Camp Nou in Barcelona.

This season’s squad has the potential to replicate what was achieved that year, and United has already demonstrated why it can be considered a serious title candidate, after staying undefeated, with five wins from six matches, as it won its group in style.

Tévez, who scored twice in the group stage, will surely play a key role when United meets Olympique Lyon in the first knockout round of the competition that begins in late February. United comes into the series as the favorite, although it has to be in top gear in order to overcome a Lyon side that’s on track to win a record seventh straight French league title this season.

Even so, Tévez has the right temperament to help United eliminate Lyon and continue to progress in the tournament. The Argentine is no stranger when it comes to winning titles, whether at a local or international level, after having won league championships in Argentina and Brazil, as well as the Copa Libertadores, the Intercontinental Cup and the Copa Sudamericana with Boca Juniors.

At a national-team level, he has also found success, finishing as the top scorer with eight goals in six matches, as Argentina won the Gold Medal at the Athens Olympic Games in ’04.

Manchester United has not won an international trophy for some time now, but the quality of its squad this season suggests that its wait could soon be over. Tévez’s signing should be seen as a major boost for the side as it challenges for Europe’s ultimate prize.

Gregory Sica

Article at Si.com

Southamericanfutbol.com

If any Manchester United team in recent years has what it takes to win the club’s first major trophy since 2004, this year’s edition is it.

The Red Devils have been sensational, and everything seems to indicate that they could repeat the achievements of the most successful season in club history: the ’98-99 season treble of the English Premier League title, the Champions League title and the FA Cup. That squad had enormous depth — as does this season’s team, which means England and the rest of Europe should take them very seriously.

Man Utd’s biggest test of the season comes on Wednesday, when it travels to the Stadio Olimpico to face AS Roma in the first leg of its UEFA Champions League quarterfinal matchup.

That game will make a huge impact on the remainder of the season, as Argentine left back Gabriel Heinze explained to me days before the vital clash. The former United player of the year is a top target of many of Europe’s other big clubs, but if he moves on at the end of the season, the 28-year-old is hoping to leave Old Trafford with a Champions League title.

SI.com: What are you expecting from Roma?

Heinze: We can expect anything — they’re in the quarterfinals for a reason. I think the odds are 50-50, because Roma is a good team, and they will try to make life difficult for us. The match itself will be highly disputed and played very aggressively. I think it is up to Manchester United to pick up a positive result in Rome, so that it can then decide the series at Old Trafford.

SI.com: Man Utd is still on track for the treble. What has the club done differently compared to the last couple of seasons?

Heinze: I think it has a lot to do with the quality of the youngsters in the squad. The mixture between the young and the more experienced has made the team very strong, and has created a great atmosphere within the group. The quality of the squad is amazing, and that is why we are doing well in the Champions League. But our objective is to win all three competitions.

SI.com: Cristiano Ronaldo has been unstoppable this season. Are things made easier with him on the field?

Heinze: He is an outstanding player and can change the course of a game in an instant. I’m not sure if it is any easier with him on the field, but we know that Cristiano is capable of deciding a match.

SI.com: You made a huge impact on the Premiership in ’04-05, your first season in England, when you were voted player of the year by your fellow players and United fans. That same year, you were also voted the best-ever defender in the history of Paris Saint-Germain. How did those achievements make you feel?

Heinze: It’s something that I take with great pride, because it’s not easy to achieve — especially for a foreigner, as both the English and French leagues are very competitive. I will be grateful for all the support I received at PSG and Manchester United for my entire life. I do appreciate this and feel obligated to give my maximum when I play for the club.

SI.com: What has been your most important achievement as a player?

Heinze: I think the most important thing is to continue to play for a big club, and to keep on playing soccer at the highest level. I don’t think it’s only about titles, I feel it’s more about keeping motivated. I play for a big club and I’m part of the Argentine national team, and for me that’s most important.

SI.com: It has been difficult for South American players to settle in the Premiership in the past, but in fact you had no problems adapting. What did you do differently?

Heinze: It isn’t easy, and it wasn’t easy for me. I think it depends a lot on the club, the manager and your teammates. In that sense I thank God for having a good coach [Alex Ferguson] that had confidence in me, and to the players that immediately made me feel part of the team. I think that was fundamental for my success, and feel that in the long run, South Americans can adapt to any league in any country. But every player needs time.

SI.com: You emerged from the youth system at Newell’s Old Boys, which has also produced other Argentine stars such as Lionel Messi, Walter Samuel, Santiago Solari and Maxi Rodríguez. What is it about Newell’s youth system that makes it so effective?

Heinze: Back then, Jorge Griffa was in charge of the club’s youth system. He was a former player in Europe, and I think he was one of the best youth developers around. The academy was very effective. The reason is that it had a great team of former players that coached the kids. They taught us all kinds of things, including how to develop as a person. I think this is why so many players were formed at that time. Unfortunately, it doesn’t exist anymore and things have changed. I think it was one of the best soccer academies in South America.

SI.com: Argentina was eliminated from last year’s World Cup in the cruelest of circumstances, after a penalty shootout defeat to Germany in the quarterfinals. What can we expect from Alfio Basile‘s side at June’s Copa América in Venezuela?

Heinze: As you said, there is a new manager and he has his own style. Argentina’s objective is to be the champion, nothing less. Argentina needs to win a title, period. Our main objective is to play very good soccer at the Copa América and finish as the champions.

SI.com: Juventus appears to be leading Real Madrid and Inter Milan in the race to sign you for next season. Are you interested in moving to one of these clubs, or would you prefer to continue at Manchester United?

Heinze: I always have the same answer. All I want to do is to play soccer. I know that there’s interest from other big clubs that want me and I am very grateful and proud of this. But from now to the end of the season, I will keep doing my best for Manchester United. But at the end of the season, I will sit down to discuss my future and our season objectives. For now I’m only thinking about Manchester United.

Gregory Sica

Article at Si.com

Southamericanfutbol.com

How do you explain Villarreal’s inconsistency? Less than 12 months ago, the modest Spanish club tore up Europe, advancing all the way to the UEFA Champions League semifinals before a last-minute loss to Arsenal.

Much of that shocking run can be attributed to the extraordinary effort by Diego Forlán, a former cult hero at Manchester United whose record-breaking 25 goals for Villarreal in 2004-05 won him the European Golden Boot and again attracted interest from several of Europe’s biggest clubs. Villarreal resisted the big-money temptation, and set its sights on winning a major title.

But things haven’t gone exactly to plan. Forlán has struggled, while Villarreal has flirted with relegation this season. The Uruguayan star has had a late-season renaissance recently, however, helping the Yellow Submarine go undefeated in its past four matches.

A good ending to the season could send Villarreal into UEFA Cup play next season, but a lot of that will depend on Forlán, who has become an irreplaceable figure at El Madrigal.

I recently caught up with him and we talked about Villarreal’s sudden revival, the highs and lows of his career and the expectations leading up to Uruguay’s Copa América campaign.

SI.com: How has Villarreal managed to improve so much in the last few weeks?

Forlán: It’s difficult to say because we didn’t know why we were playing badly. But the good thing is that we count on a squad with plenty of quality and we knew that sooner or later things would turn out for us, now we must maintain our level.

SI.com: You scored two outstanding goals from outside the box in successive weeks. Have you been practicing from out there?

Forlán: I always liked shooting from outside the area. The thing is that when I played closer, I rarely had the opportunity to shoot, but now I move down the field a bit more to receive the ball and that gives me more opportunities to shoot.

SI.com: Juan Román Riquelme recently returned to Boca Juniors on loan. Do you miss his assists?

Forlán: Who doesn’t miss him? He’s a great player, and a player like him will always be missed — even more so for a forward.

SI.com: Villarreal made some good signings this season. Why hasn’t the club been able to play to its full capacity?

Forlán: Some players got injured, and that affected us a lot. We hope that now that they’re better, the club will return to playing the same way it had been before.

SI.com: Many say the success of Villarreal is up to you.

Forlán: It depends on everyone. We are a team and if we all play well, it will be easier to win and to score goals.

SI.com: How good is your new signing, much-hyped 20-year-old Chilean midfielder Matías Fernández?

Forlán: I think he’s a great player. He’s very young and shouldn’t be rushed. In Chile, there’s lots of expectation for his performance and development. Hopefully they work with him with patience because he only recently arrived at a very competitive league, that isn’t the same as playing in South America. But the most important thing is that he’s a great player.

SI.com: Do you think Villarreal has what it takes to qualify for next season’s UEFA Cup?

Forlán: It won’t be easy. A few weeks ago, we were thinking about trying to avoid relegation, but after some good results we are calmer. We must continue to play well and keep winning and then we can see in which position we are.

SI.com: What has been your most important achievement as a player?

Forlán: I’ve won titles with Manchester United [English Premier League and FA Cup], and at a personal level, having been the European Golden Boot winner.

SI.com: Which players did you look up to when you were growing up?

Forlán: The players that I liked most were Romário and Marco van Basten.

SI.com: When did you know you wanted to be a soccer player?

Forlán: When I was small I always liked playing sports, especially tennis. I played lots of tennis, and it came to a point that I was almost going to stick with tennis. But at the end I decided to go with soccer and here I am. I think I made my decision when I was 15 years old.

SI.com: In the ’04-05 season you were the top scorer of the Spanish league with 25 goals, and joint highest scorer in Europe along with Arsenal’s Thierry Henry. Will you be able to repeat that?

Forlán: It won’t be easy, and it wasn’t easy to accomplish. Keep in mind that I play at a small club, and things are harder. I don’t think about achieving it again, but I enjoy playing and the good thing is that I already achieved it, and no one can take it away from me. It will stay registered in the history of soccer, and I am very proud of that.

SI.com: What are the main differences between soccer in Spain and England?

Forlán: In England they go faster from one goal to the other, but I always say it depends a lot on the manager that you have and the idea and the system he wants to employ.

SI.com: Why did you have difficulty adapting to English soccer?

Forlán: I always felt good — what happened is that as soon as I arrived, I wasn’t a starter and didn’t come on very often. That makes your adaptation and confidence much harder than if you initially start off playing regularly.

SI.com: Many Uruguayans are doing well in Europe. But why is it so difficult for the national team to win something?

Forlán: That’s a difficult question to answer. We all ask ourselves that. Hopefully we can change this situation. Luckily the organization of things is much better, so we can hope for a good Copa América.

SI.com: Are you motivated by the opportunity to take part in the Copa América and in 2010 World Cup qualifying?

Forlán: I’m always motivated by playing for the national team and even more so in tournaments of this magnitude. As a child you always dream about playing in these types of tournaments and putting on the shirt of your country.

SI.com: Many clubs are fighting over you, including Barcelona, and some English clubs, too. Do you see yourself at Villarreal next season?

Forlán: For now I’ve got a contract with Villarreal until 2010. All the rest are rumors.

Gregory Sica

Article at Si.com

Southamericanfutbol.com

If you ever really want to test your knowledge of soccer, try your luck with an Argentine cab driver. During a recent ride I took to meet River Plate’s latest European export, Gonzalo Higuaín, my cabbie, a passionate River supporter, asked me: ”Tell me, who do you think is the best Argentine soccer player at the moment?”

Without any hesitation I replied, ”Sergio Agüero.”

“OK, now I definitely know you know what you’re talking about,” he answered back. “Which magazine do you write for again?”

Why the vote of confidence? Historically, most of Argentina’s talent has come from Buenos Aires’ two super-clubs, Boca Juniors and River Plate. It takes an enterprising eye to make such an assertion about Agüero, who came to prominence at Independiente before being sold to Spain’s Atlético Madrid last May. While much of the soccer world raves about Carlos Tévez or Lionel Messi, the 18-year-old Agüero may very well be the most technically gifted Argentine soccer player since Diego Maradona.

“Kun,” as he’s commonly referred to because of his similarities with a Japanese cartoon character, made his Argentine First Division debut with Independiente at the age of 15, beating Maradona’s record-breaking debut by a few months. But the similarities don’t end there. Agüero was also brought up in a dangerous Buenos Aires barrio, as his parents struggled to make ends meet.

He recalls having to dodge bullets during much of his childhood before Independiente bought his family a house in a safer suburb. Like Maradona and so many Argentine soccer stars, poverty played a significant role in Agüero’s life. But the starlet realized the game was his only way out.

Maradona recently said Agüero has the potential to become one of the best strikers in history, perhaps outdoing even him. Then again, Maradona has said this about several hopefuls in the last few years, including Tévez, who is struggling mightily at England’s West Ham. Still, from what we’ve seen of him so far, if any player has a shot at surpassing the greatest Argentine player of all time, Agüero is the man.

Like “El Diez,” Agüero possesses masterly skills that have enabled him to rip apart defenses in key matches time and time again. He’s a player who always seems to rise to the big occasion and scores when it matters most. And like Maradona, he clearly has an eye for highlight reels.

Mention the greatest goal of all time, and most soccer fans will immediately cite Maradona’s breathtaking strike against England in Argentina’s ’86 World Cup quarterfinal victory, when he won the ball in his own half, performed a full 360-degree turn and eased past practically the entire English team before sliding the ball into the back of the net.

Guess what? Agüero did it, too. In the ’05 Apertura Championship, just three months after his 17th birthday, he replicated Maradona’s amazing effort while playing for Independiente. (Click here to see for yourself.) What made the goal all the more special was that it was against bitter rival Racing Club. Agüero also scored a pair of goals in his final derby game at Racing’s intimidating Cilindro de Avellaneda, leading his team to a 2-0 victory last year.

This isn’t to say that Agüero will be the next Maradona — we’re all quick to anoint that title on any number of players — but he’s definitely headed for great things. Since making his Atlético Madrid debut last August, Agüero has been an instant hit. He has already scored five goals in Spanish league play, including a memorable strike to hold Barcelona to a 1-1 draw at the intimidating Camp Nou in late December. At his age, that’s certainly a further indication of good things to come.

The one thing that may play against him is a problem that has affected the careers of so many other South Americans, even Maradona: discipline. In Agüero’s case, it’s health — namely, his diet. Upon his arrival to Spain, Atlético team nutritionist David Jiménez was surprised by Agüero’s horrible eating habits, observing “he would only eat meat and wouldn’t drink water.” The young phenom was a few pounds overweight, too.

So far that hasn’t been a factor. Agüero is helping Atleti challenge for a Champions League berth next season with several outstanding performances. He has adapted quickly to Spanish soccer and has linked up well in the attack with Atlético star player and captain Fernando Torres.

For many fans, Agüero has been the revelation of La Liga, particularly because of his fresh image and outstanding dribbling skills. Back home, he is exactly what every Argentine soccer fan has dreamed of for at least the last decade: a player who was born with enough natural talent to bring back the memories left by Maradona.

And Kun will have the opportunity to impress for his country during this June’s Copa América in Venezuela. He should play a key role as Argentina aims to win its first national competition since ’93. That would be of some consolation for Agüero, who was controversially left off José Pekerman‘s World Cup squad in Germany last summer.

For now, Agüero has the world at his feet. At Atlético, he has already lived up to the name he made for himself in Argentina, and signs are promising as he looks to become one of the greatest strikers in the game. There are some heavy expectations on Agüero’s shoulders. Time will tell if he can live up to them.

Gregory Sica

Article at Si.com

Southamericanfutbol.com

The surprise team of Europe? Easy. It’s Sevilla FC. The Andalusian powerhouse may have missed out on a fabulous opportunity to take back first place in La Liga last Sunday, but the Sevillistas are still a serious threat to win their first Spanish championship in more than 60 years, beating out perennial powers Barcelona, Real Madrid and Valencia.

Sevilla’s hard-working squad has top-to-bottom quality, but Brazilian defender Daniel Alves is the standout. He has been outstanding this season, following up on a campaign in which he won MVP on the way to Sevilla’s shock UEFA Cup title, the team’s first-ever European hardware.

But the 23-year-old isn’t sitting back on those achievements — he wants more, and is eager to keep proving himself with the Brazilian national team. Widely regarded the best right back in the world, he’s destined for greater things. I recently caught up with the acclaimed Brazilian a few days before Sevilla’s must-win UEFA Cup match against Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk.

SI.com: Sevilla is having an outstanding season. What have been the club’s main strengths?

Daniel Alves: I think the work we put in. The team plays well as a unit. We never sit back, and always try to go forward. We have good players, but the most positive thing is that our fans are right behind us. Everyone at the club is behind us, and this helps us play better.

SI.com: Do you have what it takes to win the league?

Daniel Alves: The championship is clearly there to be won. We are definitely going to fight for it. We have some tough matches coming up against Real Madrid and Valencia, both away from home. We are well aware that we have a good opportunity to win the league. We are the leaders of the competition, and hopefully we can win it.

SI.com: Sevilla has been a big surprise the last couple of seasons. What has the club done differently compared to in the past?

Daniel Alves: I think the club has grown a lot. We won our first international title last year, and it had been a long time since the club last won a trophy. We have improved enormously, and must keep growing. This season we have been very consistent. Hopefully we can win the league title. I think that’ll be the icing on the cake.

SI.com: Many consider you the best right back in the world at the moment. Did you expect this recognition so early on in your career?

Daniel Alves: You never expect that kind of recognition. I’m very happy. Things have turned out very positively for me, and I hope to continue to make the most of it. I try to improve every day, and hopefully I can continue to live up to the reputation I have already made.

SI.com: At only 23, you’re one of Brazil’s most promising players. What can we expect from you this year?

Daniel Alves: I hope to gain some valuable experience with Sevilla and the national team. We have an objective that is to obtain qualification to the Champions League for next season, so that’s also important. I hope to help Sevilla win another title, whether it be the UEFA Cup again or the league championship.

SI.com: Which players did you look up to when you were growing up?

Daniel Alves: Cafú has always been my main reference. When I was in Brazil, I supported the team he played for, São Paulo. He always played well there, and I also liked watching him play for Brazil. I’ve always liked the way he plays.

SI.com: You’ve been tipped to succeed him as right back for the Brazilian national team. How does it feel to have that responsibility?

Daniel Alves: What can I say, it’s an honor. He’s a player with lots of experience at the highest level. But I think it will be difficult to substitute him because all he has done in his sporting career, for soccer in Brazil and in Europe. Cafú is a great player with lots of experience. To achieve what he has already done will be very difficult, but I will continue to work hard.

SI.com: Does the possibility to take part in the Copa América and in World Cup qualifiers motivate you?

Daniel Alves: Of course, those are the main objectives I have. Playing for Brazil has always been a dream of mine, and I’m very happy to have been selected for Brazil’s upcoming friendlies. It’s now up to me. It’s a great opportunity to do well with the national team, and hopefully I can play the Copa América and the World Cup qualifiers.

SI.com: What can we expect from Brazil in Venezuela?

Daniel Alves: There’s going to be strong competition. But we are always one of the favorites, and anything but the title will be considered as failure. Brazil has had big changes since the World Cup, and we are improving every game. In order to win it, we must be better than the rest of the participating teams.

SI.com: Last week’s 2-2 draw at home to Shakhtar Donetsk put Sevilla in a difficult position to advance to the UEFA Cup quarterfinals. Do you still believe you can win back-to-back titles?

Daniel Alves: Well, it wasn’t the best result. But the team showed it’s capable of overcoming difficulties. We played well. I think we are in a difficult situation, but we still have possibilities of advancing. We’ll do our best to win the match, and then we’ll see. I think we have a good chance of winning the title again.

SI.com: Sevilla president José María del Nido recently valued you at more than $26 million. Several top clubs are still fighting over you, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool and AC Milan.

Daniel Alves: At the moment, I’m just thinking about Sevilla. It’s different because at this club, I have the possibility to fight for important things. But being recognized by those teams is very important for me. Hopefully one day I can play for one of those clubs.

Gregory Sica

Article at Si.com

Southamericanfutbol.com

There’s no doubt Carlos Tévez is a great player. Since making his professional debut in 2001, he has proven to be one of the most gifted strikers in the world, enough so that many have considered him to be the successor of Argentine legend Diego Maradona.

With that in mind, it’s difficult to understand why the three-time South American player of the year transferred to unfashionable East London club West Ham United, instead of one of Europe’s major clubs such as Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal or Chelsea.

What seems suspect at this point is the involvement of English consortium Media Sports Investment and businessman Kia Joorabchian, who holds Tévez’s rights and orchestrated both his and fellow Argentine national Javier Mascherano‘s move to England. Joorabchian is also interested in making an ownership bid for West Ham, and he had a heavy hand in management at Corinthians, Tévez and Mascherano’s former club in Brazil.

But until we know more, that’s a column for another day. For now, let’s focus on the action on the field, the significance of one of the biggest Argentine talents in history making the jump to the competitive leagues of Europe. Anyone who has observed “Carlitos” during his time at Boca Juniors, Corinthians and the Argentine national team must be shocked by the move to West Ham. Tévez is one-of-a-kind, a player with outstanding skill, superb vision, lightning speed and a never-say-die attitude.

But all this talent is likely to go to waste at West Ham, a club that may be more ambitious than in previous seasons, but one that clearly lacks the quality to compete with the top clubs in the English Premier League. This is a team that has lived in the shadows of illustrious London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea, and although it has three FA Cups to its credit, it has never come close to winning a league championship in 111 years of existence. In fact, the Hammers’ best league finish was fifth in the 1998-99 season.

No surprise then, that West Ham’s surprise swoop of Tévez and Mascherano has brought new optimism to the club. Not much has changed yet, though. On the basis of the Hammers’ performance so far this season, a return to the second-tier League Championship isn’t out of the question.

Through five matches, West Ham has only recorded one victory, its latest loss a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle United last Sunday. Clearly the signings of Tévez and Mascherano have done a wealth of good to the side, but this probably isn’t enough to help them make a stand in one of the most difficult leagues in the world.

In the modern game, the success of a club can’t come down to the ability of a couple of players, no matter their quality. West Ham management – and in particular manager Alan Pardew — has talked about dreaming big, about staying competitive with the Premiership powerhouses. They may have succeeded in doing this in the public eye, but on the field it has been a completely different story. This is a complicated process that can take time, and typically only works out when superstars are placed in teams already made up with top-quality players.

We can get a better understanding of this by taking a look at Tévez’s success in South American soccer. He has always played on competitive teams, starting at Boca Juniors. Argentina’s most popular club had already won almost every possible title before he made his senior-team debut as a 17-year-old, but Tévez was still touted as the side’s main attraction. He was able to demonstrate his remarkable potential while playing and learning alongside established players, such as Juan Román Riquelme, Sebastián Battaglia, Diego Cagna, Marcelo Delgado and Guillermo Barros Schelotto.

When he went to Corinthians last year in a Joorabchian-orchestrated move, Tévez was again part of a team that was assembled to storm to a league title. And it was no surprise when another star-studded lineup that included Carlos Alberto, Nilmar, Marcelo Mattos, Roger and Gustavo Nery went on to win the ’05 Brazilian championship. Despite the talent on that team, Tévez stood out from his teammates and was named the league’s MVP — but it’s unlikely he would have achieved such success if he wasn’t given a hand by the club’s other high-profile reinforcements.

Mascherano also made a name for himself at one of South America’s leading clubs, River Plate. He became an instrumental part of the side’s midfield, linking up with players of the caliber of Marcelo Gallardo, Victor Zapata and Luis González. When Mascherano joined Tévez at Corinthians, it helped him establish himself as one of the most consistent defensive midfielders on the continent.

Now, after seeing some Premiership action, both players are aware they don’t have the luxury to sit back and rely on their teammates at Upton Park. Unlike many of its league opponents, West Ham has a restricted budget and is unable to attract quality, meaning it must make do with what it has available.

MSI certainly helped West Ham secure two of its biggest stars in years, but it isn’t likely they’ll be enough to help the Hammers compete with the elite clubs. Since the Argentine duo’s arrival, there hasn’t been much of an improvement – but there have been some positive signs.

Tévez was impressive in his much-anticipated West Ham debut against Aston Villa on Sept. 10. Although he was only on the field for half an hour as a substitute, he showcased some of his amazing talent for the first time in front of a Premiership crowd.

Both Tévez and Mascherano were in their new club’s starting lineup for the first time last week in West Ham’s UEFA Cup match against Palermo. The Argentines played important roles, but their side was unable to break down the resilient Sicilians.

Tévez was a constant threat, and almost opened his scoring sheet for his new club with a superb volley in the first half, while Mascherano controlled things in front of the back four with good ball distribution and some notable interventions to break down opposing attacks. But it wasn’t enough to help the Hammers avoid a defeat that puts them on the brink of elimination from the tournament.

Last Sunday’s match against Newcastle was the one in which Pardew expected his side to get things right. But although the Argentines displayed much of the same motivation they showed against Palermo, West Ham was outplayed by a much superior opponent. Tévez came inches from scoring his first Premiership goal when he fired a free kick off the crossbar, but besides that effort, he was only able to make a minimal contribution and was replaced at halftime. Mascherano held his ground in midfield, but was unable to help his side fall to yet another defeat.

The transitional period has clearly affected West Ham. The club is desperately in need of points, but will only achieve this if the attention comes off its first-rate signings, both of whom are relatively inexperienced at 22 and are new to English soccer. Apart from Bobby Zamora, the league’s top scorer with five goals, many of West Ham’s regulars haven’t taken responsibility, as Nigel Reo-Coker, Paul Konchesky and playmaker Yossi Benayoun have all been playing well below their potential. Unless they step up to the challenge, and help the Argentines integrate into the side, the Hammers will be in for a miserable season.

Tévez and Mascherano have already shown their competitive fire for West Ham, but it’s clear they have yet to adjust to the new style of play. Gradually, they will receive the much-needed support from their teammates, but it’s essential that they’re integrated immediately so that West Ham doesn’t lose ground on the high-fliers.

These two stars may have owned South America, but England is a whole new ballgame. For their West Ham experiment to be a success, it’s going to require a lot of patience.

Gregory Sica

Article at Si.com

Southamericanfutbol.com