By David Lee Wheatley
There've been plenty of Brazilian footballers who've moved to England to play their football, but often flattered to deceive. Juninho, Gilberto Silva, Edu and Sandro apart, most have arrived with big reputations either intact or burgeoning, which they've failed miserably to live up to.
A large majority leave the English game having left no mark on it whatsoever. Mario Jardel, Branco, Jo and Afonso Alves spring instantly to mind when considering the plethora of stars who've joined amid significant fanfare only to perform poorly and move on with a whimper.
Now, there's a renewed interest in the Premier League as a possible destination for young superstars of the Brazilian game, led by the likes of David Luiz, Oscar and Coutinho who all ply their trade here.
The latest links to English clubs include Atletico Mineiro winger Bernard, fresh from sealing the prestigious Copa Libertadores on his home continent, and exciting forward Leandro Damiao. Arsenal are said to be in the frame for the signature of 20-year-old Bernard, while Southampton and Spurs are battling it out to attract 24-year-old Internacional man Leandro.
It's perfectly true that 'next big thing' Neymar snubbed Chelsea, amongst others, in favour of a switch to Barcelona earlier this summer, but there certainly appears to be a sea-change within the mindset of Brazilians about the possibility to play in this country. Should any of the sides mentioned in connection with Bernard and Damiao prevail, it could set off a chain reaction with several other full internationals considering a switch to these shores.
An improved influx of quality from the World Cup host nation could be about to gather pace, as the English top-flight attempts to maintain its position as arguably the best league in the world.
Twitter: @davewh1980
Facebook.com/DLWSports
No comments:
Post a Comment