Despite producing some of the greatest football players on the planet, are Argentineans adaptable to the demands of English football?
To date, I believe the answer is a resounding no!
In the fall of 1978, then-Tottenham boss Keith Burkinshaw stunned English football with the audacious double signing of Argentine World Cup winners, Osvaldo Ardiles and Ricardo Villa. Last week, history repeated itself in the capital as east London neighbors West Ham United captured two of the hottest properties on the current Argentine national market, Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano. In the preceding 28 years though, it has been slim pickings between two of the great footballing nations.
Back in the good old days of muddy pitches and a single substitute, signing foreign players was practically unthinkable as British players dominated the British game. The general consensus was that these namby-pamby 'JF' types couldn't compete in a league that relied on brawn over brain. To a certain degree, that consensus was correct.
It took Ardiles a good season and a half to adjust to the physical demands of England before he became a true star and a legend at White Hart Lane. Despite scoring what is generally considered Wembley's greatest-ever goal in the 1981 Cup Final replay, Villa never really came to terms with the pace of the game.
Another member of that victorious '78 World Cup side was Alberto Tarantini, who played just 23 games for Birmingham City after his move from South America. Yellow and red cards blighted his stay in England, as did a venture into the stands to have a punch-up with a few supporters!
Despite the success of Ardiles, another two decades would pass before England would look towards the shores of one of their greatest football rivals for more talent. Juan Sebastian Veron, a giant of the game in Italy, transferred from Lazio to Manchester United for the staggering figure of over $50 million ... and promptly fell flat on his face. A move to Chelsea in an attempt to resuscitate his career also collapsed. Veron's international teammate Hernan Crespo also failed to settle at Stamford Bridge, despite two cracks of the whip and the constant pampering from his 'owners'.
Fulham flirted with Facundo Sava for three seasons but the striker is not best remembered for his goals but rather for keeping a batman mask stuffed down his shorts in case he found the back of the net (which he managed on just seven occasions).
Only Gabriele Heinze (at once bitten and I guess not quite twice shy Manchester United) has come to England and really made an impact. In fact, United's dismal run last year coincided with Heinze sitting on the sidelines badly injured, which is why I'll keep a close eye on him this campaign.
With the track record of Argentineans in England being more miss than hit, it will be very interesting to see how Messrs Tevez and Mascherano perform in the current season while they're parked at Upton Park รขโฌโ because parked is exactly what they are until someone moves in with a bigger offer. To be honest, this double transfer stinks to high heaven but that's a topic for another day!
If you've ever watched Argentine football on FSC, you'll know that it is a fantastic league and the best in South America. The skill level is exceptional, the pace at times frenetic and it certainly wouldn't be considered a safe place for less physical specimens as the tackling can at times be frightening in its ferocity. With passionate crowds and intense media exposure, it is incredibly similar in almost every facet to football played in ... you guessed it ... England (English sailors are said to have brought the game to South America in the late 1800s)!
Why then has that not translated into Argentinean players flooding the English market? In Italy and Spain they seem to flourish.
Obviously, the Latin culture plays a big part in the comfort level and maybe there is still lingering resentment of the Falkland Islands but I seriously doubt that this would impede a professional footballer from giving his best. Perhaps there is a superiority complex as Argentineans have certainly taken football to another level, yet haven't beaten England internationally since 1998.
I'd like to think it is because footballing wise (playing/supporting), perhaps the two countries are the same and a fear of failure has crept into both psyches. English players are notoriously bad travelers and it would take someone with huge cajones to travel south after seeing the likes of Veron and Crespo suffer. The EPL has developed some bad mojo.
I hope for the sake of both countries that Tevez and Mascherano become huge hits this season. If they fail, perhaps Argentineans will once and for all give England a wide berth, despite the amazing riches they can earn there. When you compare the wages between the two countries it is night and day, which is why I can't understand why there has never been an Argentine invasion.
Until then, get the beers in...
Source: Fox Sports
I think there both great players. I think there a great fit for West Ham. Hell now I will want to play as them in Fifa 06, And W00t for beer.
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