Every season, Premier League clubs seem to become more aware that South American sides hold countless gems just waiting to be unearthed – and no English club has tapped in that market more successfully than Wigan Athletic. Had it happened once or twice it might have been considered a lucky gamble but the Latics have discovered too many stars now to suggest it is merely good fortune.
 
It is a widely-known fact that Wigan have a successful on-going scouting operation in South America, where scouts travel from country to country and compile lists of promising performers. Players from Central and South America cost a fraction of the price of European talents and first Steve Bruce and now Roberto Martinez know the value of the scheme. Though it is far from the only factor, the club’s shrewd transfer dealings have been a major reason for Wigan avoiding the drop zone over the past few years.
 
Bruce’s keen eye for promising footballers, which took him on numerous trips to South America, helped him bring the likes of Uruguayan Walter Pandiani to Birmingham as he developed links that would pay further dividends when he took over as Wigan boss. His connections there have been hugely profitable.
 
First, Honduran Wilson Palacios arrived at Wigan from Olimpia in 2008, though he had already played in England on loan at Birmingham the previous season. Bruce, then Birmingham manager, could not agree a permanent deal but when he moved to Wigan, Bruce made sure that Palacios was top of his transfer wish list. He knew the combative midfielder’s playing style would fit perfectly in the Premier League where ball winners and sensible passers are always highly valued.
 
Having paid just £770,000 for Palacios, the Latics certainly got their money’s worth before the Honduras international sealed a big money switch to Tottenham for £12M. He influenced big games, became a crowd favourite and gave solid protection to a shaky defence. Wigan were rightly hailed for uncovering such a fine player and made a mighty profit on Palacios.

It was only when Wigan repeated the trick with other signings that pundits and the media began to take note. Winger Antonio Valencia hit the heights at the DW Stadium after an impressive campaign for Ecuador at the 2006 World Cup. Though he seemed less inspired when the cold winter weather arrived, Valencia’s pace and dribbling marked him out as another successful South American signing. The scouts saw enough in his performances for Ecuador to give the green light – and Wigan would not regret it.
 
Valencia, like Palacios, would move on to bigger things, though, securing a £17M transfer to Manchester United this summer, where he has shown glimpses of his potential. It highlighted again just how significant Wigan’s scouting system is in South America. The big teams are willing to break the bank for such talents but finding them in the first place is not always easy.
 
Hugo Rodallega is another South American making the grade in the Premier League after being plucked from Mexican side Necaxa. It has taken time for the Colombian striker to settle after coming in as a replacement for Emile Heskey last season, but he is now getting himself among the goals and winning over the sceptics. Good in the air and extremely skilful, Rodallega has been a handful for opposition defenders and, coming with a price tag of just £4.5M, he was another bargain buy in today’s astronomical transfer market.
 
Finding high calibre players at an affordable price is no easy feat for clubs outside the top four, never mind mid-table clubs like Wigan. Therefore, every possible advantage and avenue to good deals must be explored. Bruce managed to steal a march on the elite with his scouting system in South America and that has been Wigan’s gain, even after the former Manchester United captain headed off to Sunderland in the summer. Incidentally, Bruce quickly tapped into those South American links again at the Stadium of Light when he signed Honduran defender Paulo Da Silva and the fact that he turned to his old contacts, despite having a larger transfer budget at his disposal, speaks volumes for the talent available in that part of the world – if you can discover it.
 
Wigan continue to keep themselves out of trouble in the Premier League and their dealings in South America are a key reason behind this – after all, the money from the sales of Palacios and Valencia has added extra stability to the club. With their success plain for all to see, expect to see more clubs follow the Latics’ example over the coming years.

 

  Related Articles: