ENZO Fernandez is the most high profile – and by far the most expensive – of the new Premier League input of South American central midfielders.
It is an interesting trend. Fernandez shone brightly in his brief spell with Benfica – one of the explanations for the size of the price tag. But he is something of an exception.
Many central midfielders from South America have found it tough to adapt to top class European football, where the game is so much faster and there is less time to decide what to do with the ball.
Even Bruno Guimaraes, such an important part of the Newcastle challenge, had some difficult times settling in at Lyon.
Other big Brazilian hopes, such as Arthur and Mathias Henrique, have yet to live up to expectations.
A few years back there was plenty of hype around Lucas Silva, a league winner in Brazil with Cruzeiro and seen as a Xabi Alonso of the future.
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Real Madrid got nothing from him though, and there was precious little in Marseilles either. All but forgotten, the player moved back to Brazil.
It is interesting, then, to see that Premier League clubs have been willing to take the risk.
From Argentina Carlos Alcaraz has joined Southampton and Mexi Perrone has gone to Manchester City.
From Brazil, Danilo has joined Nottingham Forest, Joao Gomes has gone to Wolves and Chelsea have invested in Andrey Santos.
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These are the future stars of South America.
Andre, Fluminense
It could be that the best player in South America is still at home.
Andre of Fluminense was one of the stand outs of the last Brazilian season, helping balance out an attack minded side.
He made the team of the year in the opinion of most media organisations and led the statistics in terms of passes, tackles and interceptions.
He came closer than the others to a place in Brazil’s World Cup squad, and he could have moved in this window.
He opted to stay – in the hope that, at 21, he can consolidate himself still further this year, and he will certainly be one to watch during the next domestic campaign and in South America’s Champions League, the Copa Libertadores.
Gino Infantino, Rosario Central
In Colombia, the South American Under-20 Championships is currently in full force.
A couple of the recent acquisitions have been in action, including Perrone who showed some bright touches, but disappointed along with most of his colleagues in an Argentina side that lost three of its four group matches and crashed out early.
However, another central midfielder, the left footed Gino Infantino of Rosario Central was one of the more interesting players on show.
An attacking player – the 19-year-old trialled at Real Madrid when he was a youth and trained with Villarreal, before settling in Argentina.
Andrey Santos, Chelsea
Andre Santos, meanwhile, has done extremely well, especially considering that his professional experience is restricted to Brazil’s second division for Vasco de Gama.
Strongly built, he is a midfield powerhouse, organising the play from the back, breaking up the play in the middle and always ready for a surge on goal.
He has scored five times in the competition – and has shown why Chelsea paid £18million for him in January.
The Blues may have pulled off a masterstroke signing the 18-year-old before he impressed in Colombia.
Marlon Gomes, Vasco de Gama
Alongside him, former Vasco da Gama team-mate Marlon Gomes, 19, is a mobile and intelligent talent who is quick to spot a passing opportunity.
In his quiet way, he too has been one of the stars of the competition.
Gomes has represented Brazil at U16 level and U20.
While he has also appeared 18 times for his club in Brazil’s second tier.
Fabricio Diaz, Liverpool Montevideo
Uruguay captain Diaz, 20, has stamped his authority on proceedings.
Already a well established player with Liverpool – the Uruguayan version – he takes responsibility for running the game from the centre of the field.
His right foot is a subtle weapon, and he is a consistent threat from set pieces.
Like Santos he too has five goals in six games in the U20 South American Championships.
And he’s not afraid to put his foot in – earning three yellow cards in the tournament so far.
Gustavo Puerta, Bayer Leverkusen
Colombia’s captain Gustavo Puerta, 19, carries out a similar role in a more gut busting manner.
He, too, is the organiser and leader, with a rocket in his right boot that has chalked up two sensational long range goals.
And he, like Diaz, Infantino and Marlon Gomes, is a name to look out for in future transfer windows.
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He began his career at second division Bogota, before moving to Bayer Leverkusen in this past January window.
They have loaned him out to Nurnberg, where he will gain vital experience in a European League.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
