Gap In The Brazilian Market? by Dan Smith
Josh Kroenke said this week that Edu was the final piece of the puzzle behind the scenes. As a self-sustained model, we can’t compete with our rivals in terms of wages or fees, so now have to be creative and think outside the box in the transfer window.
Like how Arsene Wenger used his knowledge of French football to steal a march on other managers, we now need Edu to use his contacts back in his homeland. Over the years, Brazil has replaced European and Chinese clubs as producing the most talent to play abroad. There are 22 Brazilians ready to play in the Prem this season, that’s compared to 27 in Spain, 39 in Italy, 26 in France, with the majority in Portugal. Yet 44 play in Japan, double of those in England’s topflight.
That shows in this country we still don’t have the trust to buy from South American Football directly, choosing instead to see how they cope elsewhere in Europe. This is based on differences between the physical nature of both Leagues while strict work permit laws mean it’s even more unlikely to take that gamble. This is proven by the following statistic, out of those 22 individuals registered to play in our top division, only 5 were brought direct from Campeonato Brasiliero, only 3 of them having started in the Prem.
This is where our new sporting Director can make an impact.Is it a coincidence our only purchase so far this summer has the same nationality as the man now in charge of our recruitment? In his former employment he would been aware of Martinelli for years, had inside knowledge on the teenager, such as having an Italian father meaning no paper work is needed. It means we have a head start in this pool.
If it’s true, our doctors have been sent to get Everton to have a medical then that’s two from that part of the world brought in a month. Their last country men to play for us in Prem coming straight over was Denilson, Gilberto, Edu and Sylvinho. That’s 4 since 1999, nearly 2 decades since we trusted an individual to be able to settle right away and make an impact. Based on where our former invincible hails from, it’s ironic how we have got our hands on his nation’s top youngster and are very interested in another. This could also be the benefit of having ex-players on the staff.
Where once we might have been unsure of a player, Edu scouted Brazil’s domestic game. He knows how chairmen operate, who’s a selling club, what youth to keep an eye on. Unlike his counterparts though he can empathise the challenges of moving your family to a busy city, not knowing the language, etc. He will already know the personality of Everton. Can he handle the weather, the City and most important the physical nature of the UK game? If he can, this could be the creativity we have lacked in our buying.
Clubs in Brazil will sell for the right price and are more receptive to paying in instalments, which will make Stan happy. Edu’s a friendly old chap, and I’m sure in his last place of employment he’s got peeps who will email him if they see any potential.
So…know pressure Edu
Dan Smith….