Manchester City have again splashed the cash, this time on Argentine striker Aguero in a reported £38million deal, so let’s have a look back on the good and bad arrivals from South America in the last few years.

Since the Premier League began in 1992, there have been numerous South Americans that have plied their trade in England, with varying levels of success. For every Juninho, there is an Afonso Alves, and for every Carlos Tevez, there has been a Mauro Boselli. Thankfully for Leeds United fans, there was only one Roque Junior.

Over the years, our continental counterparts have brought our game a mixed bag of beautiful ball skills, hard-hitting tackles and a tendency for temperamental tantrums.

Perhaps the fairest (and most interesting) way to gauge the impact the imports have had on the Premier League is to propose a match-up encompassing the best South American XI stars to have graced the Premier League, versus the worst.

As there were only 11 places on each team and no substitutes allowed, current Premier League players Luis Suarez, the Da Silva twins and former players Mauro Zarate and Gilberto Silva are unfortunate to be left out of the ‘Stars’ team, whereas Wigan striker Boselli and former Manchester City man Jo are lucky to escape from the ‘Stinkers’ side.

South American Stars (4-4-2)

GK – Heurelho Gomes (Tottenham). Through necessity rather than choice, as is highlighted in the ‘Stinkers’ XI. Gomes on his day can be a ‘triffic’ keeper with tremendous reflexes. His saves helped Spurs qualify for the Champions League in 2010.

RB – Pablo Zabaleta (Man City). The-tough-tackling Argentine was brought to City in 2008. Although initially taking a while to adapt, he won fans over with his tenacity and versatility and played a crucial role in securing the club Champions League football, as well winning the FA Cup.

CB – Alex (Chelsea). The powerful Brazilian centre-back was brought to Stamford Bridge in 2007 and has helped the club win two FA Cups and a Premier League title. A solid defender who is renowned for his thunderous free-kicks.

CB – Javier Mascherano (West Ham and Liverpool). Although not his natural position, the Argentina international is comfortable in this role as he showed in this year’s Champions League final. The combative defensive midfielder helped Liverpool to a second-place finish in the Premier League and will be remembered for his crunching tackles.

LB – Gabriel Heinze (Man United). Another Argentine full-back completes the back four. Heinze arrived at Old Trafford in 2004 and was voted player of the season in his first year at the club. He helped the club win the Premier League in 2007 before leaving for Real Madrid that summer.

RM – Nolberto Solano (Newcastle). At Newcastle, Solano became the first Peruvian to play in the Premier League. The diminutive midfielder proved to be popular amongst fans during his two spells at the club. Known as a dead-ball specialist, he also enjoyed spells at Aston Villa and West Ham.

CM – Gus Poyet (Chelsea and Tottenham). The goalscoring Uruguayan was a fans’ favourite at Chelsea, helping them win the FA Cup before moving to Spurs in 2001 where despite suffering numerous injuries, he helped the club reach the League Cup final. Now manager of Championship side Brighton.

CM – Juninho (Middlesbrough). Hugely popular during his three spells at Middlesbrough. The immensely talented Brazilian reached legendary status on Teesside as he helped ‘Boro to League Cup success in 2004.

LM – Antonio Valencia (Wigan and Man United). Although better down the right, Valencia is adaptable and so gets the nod on the left of my midfield. The pacey Ecuadorian joined Manchester United after first impressing at Wigan and has won a Premier League title as well as a League Cup at his time at Old Trafford thus far.

CF – Faustino Asprilla (Newcastle). The maverick Colombian encapsulated everything about Kevin Keegan’s managerial career at Newcastle. In some quarters blamed for the Toon’s collapse in 1995 gifting the league to rivals United, Asprilla was sulky and disruptive but sometimes brilliant. For his unpredictability and entertainment value, I have him leading the line.

CF – Carlos Tevez (West Ham, Man United, Man City). The diminutive Argentine has proved a hit everywhere he has played in England. He almost single handedly saved West Ham from relegation in his first season in England before joining Man United on loan, winning two Premier League titles and a Champions League in two seasons. Tevez then controversially joined rivals City, captaining them to a Champions League spot and FA Cup success.

South American Stinkers (4-4-3)

GK – Heurelho Gomes (Tottenham). The Brazilian features on both teams to highlight his contrasting fortunes. In this team, expect to see his worst side, full of blunders such as his White Hart Lane fumble against Real Madrid in the Champions League last season.

RB – Javier Margas (West Ham). A player more famous for his hairstyles than his footballing skills. The Chilean defender largely disappointed during his season at West Ham before infamously disappearing for weeks and was eventually found back in his homeland.

LB – Glabuer Berti (Man City). Labelled ‘the invisible man’ during his time at Manchester City, Brazilian Berti made just one cameo appearance at the end of the 09-10 season. He was humorously given a rousing welcome by the City faithful for his one minute on the pitch before disappearing back into obscurity.

CB – Claudio Cacapa (Newcastle). The former Lyon stopper arrived at Newcastle with an impressive reputation having captained the French side to six Ligue 1 titles. However the Brazilian failed to get to grips with the Premier League and was eventually released after a disappointing spell at the club.

CB – Roque Junior (Leeds United). The Champions League-winning Brazilian defender was a gamble when Peter Reid signed him, even though he had never seen him play. The gamble backfired and after being sent off on his debut, the defender played only six more calamity-filled times for the Elland Road club before leaving.

CM – Juan Sebastian Veron (Man United and Chelsea). Although Veron has undoubted talent, ultimately he was just not cut out for the Premier League. After two unsuccessful seasons at Manchester United, the midfielder joined Chelsea. His time with the Blues was not any better, he managed only a handful of appearences before being loaned to Inter Milan.

CM – Kleberson (Man United). Brazilian World Cup winner Kleberson was signed by Manchester United in 2003 to succeed Veron. However, he fared no better than the Argentine and was sold after making only 20 appearances for the club.

CM – Nicolas Medina (Sunderland). Another South American flop found by Peter Reid, who described the Argentine as ‘the complete midfield player’ on his arrival. Sadly this wasn’t the case and after a Mackems playing career spanning 20 minutes, he left for pastures new.

CF – Austin Delgado (Southampton). The Ecuadorian striker endured a torrid time at St Mary’s. Dogged by injuries, he managed a solitary goal in 11 appearances, prompting manager Gordon Strachen to say: “I’ve got more important things to think about. I’ve got a yoghurt to finish by today, the expiry date is today. That can be my priority rather than Agustin Delgado.”

CF – Afonso Alves (Middlesbrough). Big things were expected of Alves after his prolific spell in Holland with Heerenveen. However he failed to deliver at Middlesbrough, regularly squandering chances until he was offloaded to Al Sadd. Alves somehow managed to amass eight appearances for the Brazilian national team.

CF – Mario Jardel (Bolton Wanderers). Signed by Sam Alladyce on a free transfer, with the intention of attempting to prolong Jardel’s career in the successful way he had achieved with former greats such as Jay-Jay Okocha and Hierro amongst others. However Jardel arrived at the Reebok severely unfit and was comically labelled ‘Lardel’ by the Wanderers faithful. After seven games yielded no goals, the Brazilian departed back to South America.

Brighton & Hobe Albion boss Gus Poyet has called a halt to The Amex celebrations for his players.

His only focus is the business of picking up Championship points as the Seagulls head into their league opener against Doncaster Rovers today.

Poyet has spent the week since the Spurs friendly deliberately keeping the players detached from fans’ euphoria over the first competitive match at the new stadium in front of a near sell-out crowd of 22,500.

The Uruguayan told The Argus: “That is something we have done this week. We have stopped with the celebrations – the new stadium, dressing room. Now it’s business, Saturday three o’clock.”

Rio de Janeiro’s famous Maracana stadium will host the final of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke indicated Thursday, pending formal ratification of the decision at FIFA executive committee meeting in October.

The giant arena previously hosted the deciding match of the World Cup in 1950, when hosts Brazil were stunned 2-1 by Uruguay.

“The final is already certain, even though we think that lots of other cities could have hosted this match,” said Valcke.

“This stadium already hosted the final 61 years ago. What we have to decide now is where the semi-finals and the opening match will take place.”

Following Valcke’s comments, FIFA stressed the decision was not yet official.

“No official decision has been taken,” FIFA communications director Nicolas Maingot told reporters.

The stadium was built as the centrepiece of the 1950 tournament, which saw some 200,000 people cram in to see Brazil suffer a shock final loss to Uruguay.

Since then, Brazilians refer to such shock defeats as a ‘Maracanazo’.

It was only in 1958, inspired by a teenage Pele in Sweden, that Brazil lifted the first of their record five World Cup crowns.

The Maracana was the scene for Pele’s 1000th career goal, a penalty, for Brazilian outfit Santos against Vasco de Gama on 19 November 1969.

He also netted his first goal for the national side at the venue, in a 2-1 loss to Argentina in July, 1957.

The race to get 12 venues ready for three years time is posing a monumental logistical challenge for Brazil.

In particular, the process of giving the Maracana in downtown Rio a massive facelift has been a daily topic of conversation among fans as the bill has risen inexorably, though the official estimate is some 700 million dollars.

Vying with Rio for the honour of hosting the trophy match were Sao Paulo, Brasilia, Belo Horizonte and Salvador.

The World Cup will open on 12 June 2014 and end on 13 July.

It was the signal for thousands in Montevideo and the rest of the country to turn to the streets and public squares to celebrate draped in flags, painted faces, cars blowing their horns.

Celebrations extended well into early Monday as the caravan bringing the champions from Carrasco airport (20 minute flight from Buenos Aires) crossed the capital to cheering crowds for a major welcome at a packed Centenary Stadium, where the first World Cup was played in 1930.

As had been anticipated Uruguay’s firepower was too much for the Paraguayan side, the two gladiators had achieved major fetes in their trail to the final: Uruguay knocked out the hosts Argentina with Lionel Messi and some of the most expensive players on the planet, and Paraguay had done the same with Brazil.

Both teams arrived at the final unbeaten, although Paraguay’s definitions were with extra-time and penalties.

Forlán the 2010 World Cup best player, after a long ‘drought’ of goals finally scored twice against Paraguay: late in the first half time and in the last minute of the game making it a conclusive 3-0.

Luis Suarez voted the best player of the tournament put Uruguay ahead in the eighth minute when his low, left-footed shot from the right beat the diving Justo Villar and went in off the far post.

Three minutes before half time Forlan ran onto a ball from midfielder Egidio Arevalo Rios and blasted left-footed past Villar from the edge of the box.

And in the last minute Forlán completed a fine counter-attacking move, steering the ball past Villar and in off the post.

Uruguay now have one more Cup title than hosts Argentina, whom they upset on penalties in the quarter-finals, at the end of a fine 12 months following their fourth place at the World Cup. Outgoing champions Brazil, also eliminated in the quarter-finals on penalties by Paraguay, have eight titles.

Suarez scored four goals in the tournament, one less than top scorer Paolo Guerrero whose hat-trick helped Peru beat Venezuela 4-1 for third place in La Plata on Saturday.

Forlán, who won a Uruguayan record 82nd cap, equalled the national record of 31 held by Hector Scarone, (Olympic champion in 1924, 1928 and the first World Cup in 1930).

Forlan also completed a three generation family record: together with his grandfather Corazzo, his father Pablo Forlan they have all won the Copa America.

Uruguay not only received the prize to the Most Valuable player (Suárez) but also to the best young player, Sebastian Coates (20) and the Fair Play Trophy.

The Copa America is the oldest football competition in the world: the first was played in 1916, in Buenos Aires and was won by Uruguay.

In good Uruguayan multiracial tradition dating back to the first international matches with the sky-blue colours since the early XXth century, the 2011 winning team had several Afro-Uruguayan players, one of them ‘Palito’ Pereira will be joining striker Luis Suarez in Liverpool.

Paraguay will meet Uruguay in Sunday’s Copa America final in Argentina after a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Venezuela.

The 5-3 loss denied Venezuela the chance to reach the final of the Latin American tournament for the first time.

The match itself was largely disappointing and finished goal-less, a far cry from the 3-3 thriller played out in the group stages by the same two sides – Venezuela had come back from 3-1 down.

Venezuela will now play Peru, who lost to Uruguay (2-0) in the other semi-final, for 3rd place.

Uruguay, surprise semi-finalists at the World Cup in South Africa last year, showed on Saturday that the achievement was no fluke.

They toppled hosts Argentina in the quarterfinals of the Copa America and now face modest Peru in tomorrow night’s semi-final.

Uruguay and Argentina finished 1-1 after extra time in Santa Fe, but Uruguay won a penalty shootout 5-4 when goalkeeper Fernando Muslera saved Carlos Tevez’s spot kick (pictured).

Spearheaded by star forwards Diego Forlan, player of the tournament at the South African World Cup, and Luis Suarez, Uruguay are now strong contenders to win the Copa America for the first time since 1995. Victories tomorrow and on Sunday would bring Uruguay their 15th Copa America title.

Saturday’s victory came in a tense match in which the Uruguayans played with a man down for nearly an entire half after Diego Perez was sent off in the 39th minute. Argentina captain Javier Mascherano was red-carded near the end of regulation time to level the numbers.

Goalkeeper Muslera was the key man in frustrating a star-studded Argentina forward line that included Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Tevez. He made difficult saves throughout the match to keep Uruguay in the match until the end.

South America’s premier international football tournament, known to all and sundry as the Copa América, will take place in Argentina from July 1st. For the home nation it is imperative that they reclaim an international trophy as their success starved supporters haven’t experienced any silverware since the 1993 tournament. But their arch rivals Brazil will not wish to relinquish the title that they have won on four of the last five occasions whilst the likes of Uruguay and Paraguay will hope to make further progress following a successful 2010 FIFA World Cup.

World football’s oldest international competition is being played for the 43rd time since its inception in 1916. In the early days the tournament was dominated by Uruguay and Argentina, a fact which is still reflected today in the number of titles won by each country (both have a joint record 14 wins each). From 1916-37 the two initial powers of the South American game won twelve out of the first 14 championships (Brazil won the other two) before Peru became the first country outside of the traditional Big Three to win the trophy in 1939.

One aspect of this tournament which did surprise for many years was the inability of Brazil to win the Copa. The Brazilians chalked up only 4 title wins in the first eighty years of a competition which featured on the calendar much more frequently than the FIFA World Cup, a competition which they have come to see as private property over the years. Indeed when Uruguay won their most recent Copa America title in 1995, defeating Brazil on penalties, beaten Brazil coach Mario Zagallo lifted four fingers into the air in the direction of Uruguay’s jubilant supporters to remind them that Brazil still enjoyed more success in the World Cup, which they also won once more in 2002. However the Selecao have been on a role in recent years having won four of the last five Copa America tournaments but they still lag six title wins behind both of their main rivals.

The record of smaller nations in the Copa America shows just how difficult it is for any country outside of the usual suspects to win it. Only on six occasions has anybody else won the trophy with Peru (1939 & 1975) and Paraguay (1953 & 1979) winning it on two occasions whilst Bolivia (1963) and Colombia (2001) have savoured one solitary title win apiece. Colombia’s Copa triumph was the last time that none of the traditional powers lifted the trophy and it is difficult to see a repeat this time around. The tournament has been enhanced in recent years by the invitation of various nations from outside South America to play in the Copa. This recent tradition will be upheld this time with the inclusion of Costa Rica (a last minute replacement for Japan) and Mexico who are now as good as established in this competition having made seven previous appearances.

Group A (Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Bolivia)

Tournament hosts Argentina are desperate to end their title drought having last won a trophy in the 1993 Copa America. The Albiceleste have lost to arch-rivals Brazil in the last two finals and are determined to end that run of home soil especially as the world’s best player Lionel Messi will be playing in his homeland. 2001 Copa winners Colombia are most likely to join the hosts into the quarter-finals and have a good chance of making the semi-finals should striker Radamel Falcao be in good form. It’s difficult to see either Costa Rica or Bolivia going through as a best third-placed team as the former are playing in only their fourth tournament whilst the latter haven’t got beyond the group stage in the last four tournaments.

Group B (Brazil, Paraguay, Ecuador, Venezuela)

After years of underachievement in this competition the Brazilians have been making up for lost time in the last decade having won four of the last five tournaments. The last two victories in 2004 and 2007 have come against Argentina and it would be a truly remarkable feat if Brazil were to repeat such an outcome this time around. Paraguay, having reached the quarter-finals of last year’s FIFA World Cup in South Africa, are a good bet to go far in the tournament especially if deadly striker Lucas Barrios repeats his prolific goal scoring form which has made him such a hit at his club Borussia Dortmund. Ecuador and Venezuela, two countries never to have won this competition, are expected to struggle but one of them may be fortunate enough to qualify for the last eight as a best third-place team.

Group C (Uruguay, Chile, Peru, Mexico)

Joint record champions Uruguay haven’t got their hands on the trophy since 1995 but there is a lot of optimism around that a renaissance for Uruguayan football is just around the corner. Following the national team’s run to the semi-finals of last year’s World Cup, coupled with Penarol’s appearance in the Copa Libertadores final, many are predicting Uruguay to go far in the Copa America. However they have been drawn in arguably the toughest group of the tournament with Chile, Peru and Mexico. Chile made it to the quarter-finals of the 2007 Copa but were thrashed 6-1 by eventual winners Brazil, Peru have made it to the last eight stage in the last four consecutive tournaments whilst Mexico, recent winners of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, may field a weakened team but are always a tough proposition, a fact borne out by the fact that they have reached the final twice in seven attempts albeit without ultimate success.

Unlike in previous tournaments to be held in the country Argentina 2011 will be unique in that only one game in the whole tournament will be played at the national stadium “El Monumental” in Buenos Aires, that game being the final on July 24th. Throughout the group stages and knockout rounds leading up to the final seven cities will be playing host to the talents of South America’s finest with La Plata having the privilege of hosting six matches. Cordoba, Mendoza and Santa Fe will host four games, San Juan three and Jujuy and Salta feature in two matches each. This is the ninth Copa America tournament to be held in Argentina and history shows us that only the host nation (six times) or Uruguay (twice) emerge victorious. Will that be the case this around? Will Brazil ensure that the Copa remains firmly within their grasp? Or can an unexpected contender defy the odds and come away with South America’s biggest prize? In any case it should prove to be a fascinating tournament.

The Copa America schedule could be altered if the ash cloud from Chile’s volcano keeps grounding flights in the region, Argentine Football Association President Julio Grondona said Tuesday.

The tournament is due to open on July 1 in La Plata, Argentina, with the host facing Bolivia. The event ends with the final July 24 in Buenos Aires.

Flights were grounded Tuesday in Argentina and neighbouring Uruguay. CONMEBOL, the governing body of South American football, said Monday it would consider having teams fly to Asuncion, Paraguay, and then travel by land to venues in Argentina.

“We’re watching it closely and it’s for sure that teams are not ready to come to Buenos Aires,” Grondona said, speaking Tuesday on Radio 10. “The tournament starts July 1 and we hope that within five or six days the problems with the ash will not exist.”

Twelve teams are entered in the tournament — 10 from South America (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia and Peru) plus Mexico and Costa Rica, which play as guest nations.

The drifting plume of ash also briefly threatened Wednesday’s first leg of the Copa Libertadores final in Montevideo, Uruguay, between Brazil club Santos and Uruguay’s Penarol. After a brief delay Tuesday, a charter carrying Santos managed to land in Montevideo. The second leg is June 22 in Sao Paulo.

CONMEBOL postponed the draw for the Copa Sudamericana – the continent’s No. 2 club tournament – from Tuesday until Thursday. It said some club representatives were having trouble reaching Paraguay.

Lionel Messi mesmerized Manchester United into submission on Saturday as his dazzling Barcelona team claimed an emphatic 3-1 win in the Champions League final to bag their third European crown in six seasons.

Barcelona comprehensively outplayed United throughout and took a deserved lead in the 27th minute when Pedro fired home after a brilliant pass from his captain Xavi.

Though Wayne Rooney equalized just seven minutes later on a rare United counter-attack, Barcelona underlined their supremacy in the second half, Messi firing home a sizzler in the 54th minute and then setting up David Villa for the third in the 69th after a typical jinking run into the box.

On Saturday evening, two of the world’s greatest football clubs, Barcelona and Manchester United, will clash in the UEFA Champions League final at one of the grand cathedrals of the football world, Wembley Stadium – the victors will be crowned the kings of Europe.

It’s no secret that without the top Latin American players, European footballs biggest club competition – the UEFA Champions League – wouldn’t be nearly as (technically) good or entertaining.

Last year’s Champion League winners, Inter Milan, could have almost fielded an entire eleven of Latin American players in the final – which just shows how important Central and South Americans are in the European game.

Barcelona and Manchester United will both be hoping their Latin American stars can help them win the greatest prize in European football. Some glorious Latin American talent will be on display and here’s four players that could make the biggest impact.

Lionel Andrés Messi (Argentina)

Leo Messi, with two Ballon d’Or awards to his name (2009 and 2010), is the best player in the world. This modest Argentinian has speed, dribbling and shooting skills. But despite so many individual virtues, he is also a remarkable team player.

So how do you stop Lionel Messi? That is the question that may just have been giving Sir Alex Ferguson sleepless nights in the last few weeks. Few have managed it with the Argentine amassing an incredible 55 goals in 61 games, for club and country this season, although United will note he has gone four games without a goal.

Yet Ferguson will also need no reminding that it was Messi who popped up with the killer second goal in the 2009 final. The Barcelona star capped a superb performance with a majestic header that sealed a deserved victory, and few would bet against him finding his way onto the scoresheet once again.

Daniel Alves da Silva (Brazil)

Dani Alves is one of the strongest, most intense right-sided players in the world, and covers an extraordinary amount of ground. He went to FC Barcelona in the summer of 2008, after six seasons with Sevilla.

Since arriving at Barcelona, Alves has never been given the full recognition he deserves. That is understandable to a point, since it’s hard to stand out on a team with the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi. However, he’s a key cog to Barcelona’s recent dominance in La Liga and in Europe.

Dani Alves is arguably the prototypical 21st century full-back and his devastating runs upfield have led to a staggering 14 assists in Spain this season – third-highest in La Liga and more than Real Madrid’s playmaker Mesut Ozil and winger Cristiano Ronaldo. The bulk of his assists are helping to pad the résumé of the world’s greatest player, Messi. If Manchester United find a way to shut down Alves, they might better contain the atomic flea.

Luis Antonio Valencia (Ecuador)

The Ecuadorian has been in sensational form since returning from an ankle-break suffered against Rangers in a UEFA Champions League group stage encounter in September. The 25-year-old has played a huge role in guiding United to the final of the UEFA Champions League and has also chipped in with some wonderful displays in English Premier League.

Most notably, his performance against Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final was simply outstanding, as he bamboozled Ashley Cole with his pace and trickery.

Valencia will be crucial in helping nullify the threat of David Villa as well as providing the right-sided service for Manchester United going forward. If Carles Puyol plays on the left side of Barcelona’s defence, this will be one of the key battles of the final.

Javier Hernández (Mexico)

The rise of Javier (Chicharito) Hernández has been nothing short of breathtaking. When Man United announced the acquisition of the 22-year-old Mexican from Guadalajara 13 months ago, it was easy to wonder if he’d even get playing time at the club. All he’s done since then is score 20 goals (in all competitions) for United this season and push Dimitar Berbatov out of the starting line-up while combining well with Wayne Rooney up top.

Hernández’s speed will be key if United is to score on the counter against Barcelona, and his instinctive movement off the ball helps open things up for Rooney. Football purists will be waiting for the moment he is matched up with the 33-year-old Carles Puyol, who is the heart and soul of the Barca defense and their most physical defender.

The young Mexican has already had a storybook year. Now he has a chance to make it even more memorable.