The Premier League, long dominated by European imports, is witnessing a new trend that sees South American talents increasingly making their way to England’s top-flight football.
The rise in young South American players signing for Premier League teams over the past few seasons is no coincidence, with Brexit playing a crucial role in this upward trend. The change in work permit rules following Brexit has made it easier for non-European players to gain entry into the UK, which has opened the floodgates for talent from across the Atlantic.
Brexit and the New Wave of South American Signings
With Brexit restricting the movement of European talent into the Premier League, clubs have been forced to look elsewhere for emerging stars. The Premier League’s new points-based work permit system favours players from countries whose national teams are ranked high by FIFA, as well as those who have appeared in top leagues and international competitions.
South American players, many of whom qualify under these criteria, have become attractive targets for Premier League clubs. The trend seemed to kick off with Brighton’s astute acquisitions of Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo, who paved the way for a wave of South American imports.
Brighton Leading the Charge
Brighton has been at the forefront of this South American influx. Alexis Mac Allister, a versatile midfielder, was signed from Argentinos Juniors in 2019 for a modest fee of around £7 million. After helping Brighton establish themselves in the Premier League and playing a crucial role in Argentina’s World Cup-winning campaign, Mac Allister was sold to Liverpool for a reported £35 million in 2023, providing Brighton with a significant profit.
Moisés Caicedo’s story follows a similar pattern. The Ecuadorian midfielder was signed from Independiente del Valle for a fee of just £4.5 million. His exceptional performances in the Premier League quickly drew attention, and he became a key player for Brighton before moving to Chelsea in a blockbuster deal worth a British record fee of around £115 million in 2023. This deal highlighted Brighton’s remarkable ability to identify and nurture talent, turning a small investment into a massive financial windfall.
Other young South American stars at Brighton include Julio Enciso, a Paraguayan forward signed from Club Libertad for a fee of around £10 million. Enciso, known for his quick feet and eye for goal, has already shown glimpses of his potential in the Premier League.
Facundo Buonanotte, another Brighton signing, is an Argentine midfielder brought in from Rosario Central for £6 million. Currently on loan at Leicester City, Buonanotte is known for his creative playmaking abilities and could be a significant asset in the future.
The promising left-back, Valentín Barco, also joined Brighton from Boca Juniors for a fee of around £15 million. Barco’s tenacity and technical skills make him a potential star in the making.
Manchester City’s South American Gems
Manchester City, known for their global scouting network, has also tapped into the South American market with notable success. Julian Alvarez, a forward signed from River Plate for a fee of £14 million, quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young talents in world football. His versatility, combined with his lethal finishing ability, made him a valuable asset for Pep Guardiola’s squad, before his recent departure to Atletico Madrid for £80 million.
Another recent addition to City’s ranks is Savinho, a Brazilian winger acquired for £30 million via City’s wider football group network, which included stints at Girona and Troyes. Savinho is highly regarded for his pace and dribbling skills, qualities that could make him a key player for City in the coming years.
Time for Rivals to Make Their Mark
As Manchester City and Brighton continue to capitalise on the South American market, traditional powerhouses like Manchester United and Liverpool need to up their game.
With lower transfer fees, high potential, and the chance for substantial profits, South American players represent an attractive investment. Additionally, the determination and skill found in many young South Americans, shaped by their challenging upbringings, often translate into a hunger and drive that makes them stand out on the pitch.
Chelsea, in particular, has been heavily investing in South American talents, often signing promising players and then loaning them out to their partner club Strasbourg in France. This strategy allows Chelsea to develop these players in a competitive European environment while maintaining control over their growth and future potential.
This season clubs have followed the trend with significant South American signings. Chelsea brought in Aarón Anselmino from Boca Juniors for £15 million. The young ball-playing centre-half was highly sought after by numerous European clubs.
At Manchester City, Claudio Echeverri, a talented attacking midfielder from River Plate, joined in January for a similar fee and is now with the squad this season.
Meanwhile, West Ham secured the services of Luis Guilherme, a versatile attacking midfielder from Palmeiras, for £20 million.
Looking Ahead
The Premier League’s South American influx shows no signs of slowing down, and with Brexit’s impact on the transfer market, we may see even more young stars from the continent making their way to England.
Keep an eye out for the next wave of talent who could soon light up the Premier League.
Featured image: Alicia Nijdam from Cordoba, Argentina, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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