Why Sheffield United should explore the Latin American transfer market

Latin America could prove a rich source of talent for Sheffield United as they look to broaden their horizons overseas after research revealed the Covid-19 pandemic has prompted an increase in the number of young homegrown footballers being selected by clubs in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Chile.
By James Shield
Published 31st Mar 2021, 16:43 BST
Updated 31st Mar 2021, 16:53 BST
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A study by the CIES Football Observatory, based at the International Centre for Sports Studies in Switzerland, identified the trend after studying squad profiles across those countries’ leading divisions.

The findings, which suggest there was been a sharp upturn in the number of ‘club trained’ players gaining first team experience during the second half of last year are likely to pique the interest of executives at United World - the vehicle United’s owner HRH Prince Abdullah bin Musa’ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is using to establish a global network of sister teams aimed at developing future professionals and buck market trends.

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Having recently added Ligue 2 outfit Chateauroux to a portfolio which also includes Beerschot, Al Hilal United and Kerala United, UW now boasts a presence in Europe, the Middle East and India but none in South America.

Gaston Togni of Independiente celebrates with teammates after scoring the first goal of his team during a match as part of Copa de la Liga Profesional 2021 between Independiente and Boca Juniors at Estadio Libertadores de America on March 28, 2021 in Avellaneda, Argentina. (Photo by Daniel Jayo/Getty Images)Gaston Togni of Independiente celebrates with teammates after scoring the first goal of his team during a match as part of Copa de la Liga Profesional 2021 between Independiente and Boca Juniors at Estadio Libertadores de America on March 28, 2021 in Avellaneda, Argentina. (Photo by Daniel Jayo/Getty Images)
Gaston Togni of Independiente celebrates with teammates after scoring the first goal of his team during a match as part of Copa de la Liga Profesional 2021 between Independiente and Boca Juniors at Estadio Libertadores de America on March 28, 2021 in Avellaneda, Argentina. (Photo by Daniel Jayo/Getty Images)

The Primera Division, Argentina’s most prestigious footballing competition, leads the way in terms of handing opportunities to players who have progressed through its members’ youth systems according to the CIES report. Its authors state that more than three quarters of the total minutes played by every CA Banfield player, for example, can be attributed to club trained players. Both CA Lanus and Rosario Central returned figures of more than 50 per cent, while Club Estudiantes, Velez Sarsfield, Newell’s Old Boys and CA Independiente were all nudging the halfway mark.

Although purchasing a club in the region, or indeed even making a major investment, is likely to prove beyond UW’s reach at this stage of its development, its principal actors could be tempted to try and establish a looser working relationship with a locally based team.

United held discussions about building an association with Sao Paulo of Brazil during former owner Kevin McCabe’s time in charge, but the link-up failed to produce any tangible results and was quietly allowed to wither.

Related topics:Covid-19