Harry Redknapp of Spurs, continuing his ongoing dialogue regarding all things England, this week gave his verdict on Wayne Rooney's showing for the Three Lions against Algeria; "If he'd have been available for £1.5m, on that showing, I'd have said no'.
Of course there is no chance of Rooney becoming available for that amount, so it's all hypothetical, but as you will have already sussed, Redknapp has made an astute point. Rooney was awful. If a scout had recommended that you go and take a look at the England striker, not being aware of his work, you'd have probably ducked out after half time and went home. Not worth it, the verdict.
Which is why clubs need scouts. Building up a profile and having players watched regularly before passing a final judgement; something that Steve Bruce at English Premier League side Sunderland has done to very good effect.
Riveros; he's in there, somewhere
In May, Bruce moved to secure the services of Cristian Riveros from Cruz Azul in Mexico. Having tracked the player during his time as manager of Wigan Athletic, the Sunderland manager continued to monitor Riveros' progress and availability. Originally put off by Cruz Azul's prohibitive price tag, which estimates suggested were near the £12m mark, Bruce could easily have choked on his cornflakes after learning of Riveros' eventual availability......on a free transfer.
“We have been monitoring Cristian for a while now so I’m delighted to have concluded a deal which will bring him to Sunderland and the Premier League" said Bruce, following the capture of the Paraguay international.
“He is a very creative midfielder and a player that will enhance our attacking options from wide positions.” added the Newcastle born Sunderland manager, and this is something that Riveros has demonstrated already in Paraguay's World Cup campaign at South Africa. Indeed Sunderland fans will have been pleased not only to see Riveros turn out for his national side, but to play particularly well at the heart of their engine room, capping his displays with a fine goal in the 2-0 win over Slovakia.
South America continues to be a happy hunting ground for Bruce, and his forays into the murky waters of transfer markets in that part of the world have been particularly effective. Targeting players not always from the cost inflated Argentinean or Brazilian stables, but focusing on the rest of Latin and Central America, Bruce already has a good record.
While Antonio Valencia of Ecuador was signed by Paul Jewell and Honduras international Wilson Palacios' recommendation come straight from Arsene Wenger, Bruce was certainly responsible for the development of both during his time with Wigan. As both players were then sold on for huge transfer fees to Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, Bruce demonstrated the opportunities that arise by purchasing from the Americas.
Over the last year Wigan have seen the potential resale value of a second Honduras international, Maynor Figueroa as well as Columbian striker Hugo Rodallega rocket, with several of Europe's top sides closely monitoring both.
So what is Bruce's secret? In a nutshell, a good scouting team........that includes John Benson. Not a hugely well known man, despite holding just about every role - including manager - at Wigan over the last 15 years, Benson recently joined his former boss at Sunderland.
And this as a partnership that again looks potentially fruitful. Bruce has already added Riveros' international team mate Paulo da Silva and has been linked with moves to increase the Paraguayan contingent at Sunderland by adding Nelson Haedo Valdez, as well as looking at Argentinian duo Mauro Boselli and Marcos Angeleri from Estudiantes. Chile's 'big boned' hitman Humberto Suazo has also been linked and the excellent Salvador Cabanas was also on the Bruce/Benson radar, prior to the Paraguay strikers 'run-in' with a revolver.
South American players have traditionally settled well in the North East of England; Nolberto Solano of Peru more than enjoyed his time at Newcastle, and more recently Argentinean duo Fabricio Coloccini and Jonas Guttierez have fell in love with the Geordies. At Middlesbrough, Brazilian Juninho became part of the fabric on the banks of the Tees in the 1990's..
Further back, the Chilean Robledo brothers were also trophy winners with Newcastle in the 50's; are Sunderland set to follow with a 2011 vintage?
Viva la mackems.
Comments welcome.
While Antonio Valencia of Ecuador was signed by Paul Jewell and Honduras international Wilson Palacios' recommendation come straight from Arsene Wenger, Bruce was certainly responsible for the development of both during his time with Wigan. As both players were then sold on for huge transfer fees to Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, Bruce demonstrated the opportunities that arise by purchasing from the Americas.
Over the last year Wigan have seen the potential resale value of a second Honduras international, Maynor Figueroa as well as Columbian striker Hugo Rodallega rocket, with several of Europe's top sides closely monitoring both.
So what is Bruce's secret? In a nutshell, a good scouting team........that includes John Benson. Not a hugely well known man, despite holding just about every role - including manager - at Wigan over the last 15 years, Benson recently joined his former boss at Sunderland.
And this as a partnership that again looks potentially fruitful. Bruce has already added Riveros' international team mate Paulo da Silva and has been linked with moves to increase the Paraguayan contingent at Sunderland by adding Nelson Haedo Valdez, as well as looking at Argentinian duo Mauro Boselli and Marcos Angeleri from Estudiantes. Chile's 'big boned' hitman Humberto Suazo has also been linked and the excellent Salvador Cabanas was also on the Bruce/Benson radar, prior to the Paraguay strikers 'run-in' with a revolver.
Suazo. Mid air peanuts; out of shot
South American players have traditionally settled well in the North East of England; Nolberto Solano of Peru more than enjoyed his time at Newcastle, and more recently Argentinean duo Fabricio Coloccini and Jonas Guttierez have fell in love with the Geordies. At Middlesbrough, Brazilian Juninho became part of the fabric on the banks of the Tees in the 1990's..
Further back, the Chilean Robledo brothers were also trophy winners with Newcastle in the 50's; are Sunderland set to follow with a 2011 vintage?
Viva la mackems.
Comments welcome.
8 comments:
Steve Bruce was born in Hexham not newcastle
No mention of Julio Arca at the end there?
Bruce was born in Corbride anon (and I'll apologise to all the namesake anons for that)
Being sat in Hexham right now (overlooking Seal Park if you'd like specifics) trying to write a website aimed globally I felt confident that Newcastle would have given a better sense of location, but thanks for the feedback.....
Aye Arca was another good example, could have had a few more as well....
If you are in Hexham now I would have thought you would know it's called The Sele, not Seal Park.
Why on earth is Milton 'Tyson' Nunez on that list? :S
Or should should I say why is he not on that list :S
.....it was a seal when I pulled the club out.
Just look at the quality of this coat.......
Post a Comment