The South American Flops XI from the Premier League

Last week, I wrote about the Top XI players to never play in the Premier League. Quite a few players on that list were from South American countries, with the likes of Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Messi and Romario never gracing the Premiership with their exceptional skills. The South Americans that have played in the Premiership have had mixed success, there have been the good (Tevez, Mascherano, Solano, Gilberto Silva), to those that have been downright dreadful. Here are the top XI South American flops to have ever played in the Premier League who, for whatever reason, excelled on the continent but failed to deliver in England:

GK: Diego Cavalieri

(£3 million, Palmeiras to Liverpool, 2008)

Not really that much of a flop, but he’s the only South American keeper I could think of apart from Gomes that has played in the Premiership. Whilst Gomes has shined for Spurs this season, Cavalleri has yet to play in a Premier League game for Liverpool since joining in 2008. In total, the Brazilian has played in 8 games for the club, which amounts to £375,000 per game. Although, being stuck behind Pepe Reina at Anfield isn’t exactly the ideal situation if you want first-team football.

LB: Gilberto

(Undisclosed fee, Hertha Berlin to Tottenham, 2008)

Signed by Juande Ramos, Gilberto was the epitome of a Brazilian defender: good going forward, but completely inept defensively. A disastrous debut against PSV, where the Brazilian’s mistake cost Spurs the match, it didn’t really get any better than that. Gilberto had his contract terminated last summer and now plays for Cruzeiro in Brazil. Surprisingly, the left back is still a part of Brazil’s World Cup plans, having been named in next week’s friendly against Ireland at the Emirates.

RB: Roque Junior

(Loan, AC Milan to Leeds, 2003)

A catastrophe in the centre of defence, Roque Junior arrived at Elland Road having won a Champions League with Milan and a World Cup with Brazil. Error prone and clumsy, the Brazilian defender was part of the Leeds side that was relegated that season and dropped down the divisions since.

CB: Cacapa

(free transfer, Lyon to Newcastle, 2007)

Arrived at St James Park with high hopes, having captained Lyon to five straight Ligue 1 titles. What followed was an injury filled stint at Newcastle, capped off with that display against Portsmouth, where the Brazilian was substituted after 18 minutes and Newcastle 3-0 down. Now at Cruzeiro with Tottenham reject Gilberto.

CB: Fabricio Coloccini

(£10.3 million, Deportivo to Newcastle, 2008)

Struggled in his first season in the Premiership, having excelled in Spain with Deportivo. Prone to a lot of mistakes, specifically in the heavy 5-1 defeat to Liverpool last season. Coloccini is doing well for Newcastle in the Championship this season, but whether he can up his game to succeed in the Premiership is another matter entirely.

LM: Robinho

(£32.5 million, Real Madrid to Man City, 2008)

Excellent at the start of his City career but this quickly faded and Robinho’s performances, particularly this season, were extremely disappointing. A terrible attitude, poor away from home and unwilling to work for the team, the Brazilian was shipped off to Santos on loan and it is unknown whether he will return. Extremely talented, I like Robinho as a player, but for the amount of money he cost, he deserves a place on this team.

CM: Juan Sebastian Veron

(£28.1 million, Lazio to Man United, £15 million to Chelsea)

An exceptional player in Italy with Parma and Lazio, Veron was one of my favourite players in Italy due to his excellent vision and passing, and Sir Alex broke the British transfer record to bring the Argentine to Old Trafford in 2001. Unable to adapt to the style and pace of the Premiership, Veron’s spells at United and Chelsea have to be considered a massive failure.

CM: Kleberson

(£6.5 million, Atletico Paranaense to Man United, 2003)

A World Cup winner with Brazil, Kleberson was signed to replace Veron in the United midfield, along with the great Eric Djemba-Djemba. Spent two years at Old Trafford and was considered a huge flop. Now at Flamengo in Brazil, Kleberson is still in the Brazil squad and is keeping the likes of Anderson out of the squad to face Ireland next week.

ST: Jo

(£18 million, CSKA Moscow to Man City, 2008)

Highly regarded in Russia with CSKA, Jo was never able to settle at Man City, only scoring one goal for the club. Loaned out to Everton, where he was relatively successful, scoring 5 goals for the Toffees. After refusing to return on time from Brazil, Everton boss David Moyes suspended Jo for breach of contract and the Brazilian joined Turkish side Galatasaray on loan.

ST: Hernan Crespo

(£16.8 million, Inter to Chelsea, 2003)

Like Veron, Crespo came to England after an extremely successful career in Italy with Parma, Lazio and Inter and was expected to become a major star at Chelsea. A prolific goalscorer throughout his career, Crespo did OK at Chelsea but became surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, spending time on loan at AC Milan, before his contract was not renewed in 2008. Just edges out other flops like Diego Forlan because of the money spent by Chelsea to sign him.

ST: Afonso Alves

(£12.7 million, Heerenveen to Middlesborough, 2008)

Alves arrived on Teeside with a big reputation, having been prolific in the Dutch league. However, the Brazilian failed to deliver for Middlesborough, he was inconsistent and disinterested in playing for the struggling club. When Middlesborough were relegated last season, Alves was sold to Qatar club Al-Sadd.

Subs: Mark Gonzalez (Liverpool), Diego Forlan (Man United), Agustin Delgado (Southampton), Christian Bassedas (Newcastle).

What do you think? Are there any other South American’s that should/should not be on this list?

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