Spain May Not Love The English? But The Premiership Loves Spaniards!

Ozren Podnar reports on Spanish players in England's Premier League

Spanish coaches, fans and even the police have dealt several blows to England over the past month or so.

First, the Spanish national team coach Luis Aragones used derogatory remarks regarding Thierry Henry while pep-talking to Henry's Arsenal mate Jose Reyes during a practice.

Worse was to follow when England came to the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid to play a friendly international in mid-November.

Coach Aragones looked at Ashley Cole "with hatred in his eyes", as Cole put it, the crowd shouted racist chants against England's black players and the police exercised brutality against the visiting supporters. And on top of everything Spain won 1-0.

Could it have been a kind of perverse Spanish revenge for a long string of Spanish players moving to the English Premiership in recent times? A fit of jealousy, perhaps, at the awareness that the English top flight has become an El Dorado even for players from wealthy championships like the Primera Division?

In the second part of the nineties the Premier League was the preferred destination for some well-kept Italian veterans (Zola, Vialli, Di Canio, Casiraghi, Eranio, Carbone, Baiano et al) but since 2002 there has been an unprecedented influx of Spaniards, some veterans, some supertalented youths.

And the exchange has not worked in both directions, barring Real Madrid's signings of already established figures such as David Beckham, Michael Owen and Jonathan Woodgate.

Liverpool is the chief buyer of Iberian players, thanks to new manager Rafael Benitez, who brought along four of his fellow countrymen, including the international Xabi Alonso. Arsenal angered Barcelona by taking away Cesc Fabregas and broke the bank in order to lure Jose Reyes from Sevilla.

Manchester United joined the Gunners in looting the Spanish youth system by signing another of Barca's boys, Gerard Pique, whose debut for the Devils was "like in the movies", according to Alex Ferguson.

Pique has football, and Barcelona, in his blood, because his grandfather is former Barca's president, Amador Bernabeu. But Pique has no remorse over leaving his old club. "Back home I was in the third team. Who knows when I would have made the first team. Barca should watch how foreign clubs treat young players."

Spaniards in the Premiership

Manuel Almunia (27), keeper

Team: Arsenal
Origin: Albacete (2004)
League record 2004/05: 0 matches - 0 goals
Jens Lehmann has kept his spot inspite of an occasional slip, which has prevented Almunia from debuting in the Premiership. Was used in League Cup, notably in the defeat at Manchester United.

Xabi Alonso (22), midfielder

Team: Liverpool
Origin: Real Sociedad (2004)
League record 2004/05: 12 - 2
Oscillates in form but Gerrard's injury gave him more playing time. Scored in the famous win over Arsenal on November 28th.

Iván Campo (30), stopper

Team: Bolton
Origin: Real Madrid (2002)
League record 2004/05: 12 - 0
A regular at Bolton. One of the more prominent Spaniards in England. Had his career revived in England after two low-key seasons at Real.

Francisco De Pedro (31), midfielder

Team: Blackburn Rovers
Origin: Real Sociedad (2004)
League record 2004/05: 2 - 0
Out of action for over two months through injury. Packs a tremendous shot, but probably on the downslide.

Francesc "Cesc" Fabregas (17), midfielder

Team: Arsenal
Origin: Barcelona (2003)
League record 2004/05: 13 - 1
An amazing talent. Having debuted last season in the FA Cup at 16, has slipped into the first Gunners' team with incredible ease. A player of the future if there was ever any.

Luis García (26), midfielder

Team: Liverpool
Origin: Barcelona (2004)
League record 2004/05: 11 - 3
A surprise for the Premiership onlookers, but not for fellow countryman Rafael Benitez, who convinced Liverpool to pay Barca 9 million euros for his services.

Fernando Hierro (36), stopper

Team: Bolton
Origin: Al Rayyan (2004)
League record 2004/05: 11 - 0
A legend in Madrid or the Spanish national team. Less distiguished with the Wanderers, having started only two games. Has complained manager does not like him.

Buy signed Fernando Hierro shirt

Josemi (24), defender

Team: Liverpool
Origin: Malaga (2004)
League record 2004/05: 11 - 0
Adapted quickly and had a tremendous start at Anfield, but has suffered a sag in November. Luis Aragones contemplates drafting him for Spain.

Ricardo Lopez (32), keeper

Team: Manchester Utd.
Origin: Valladolid (2002)
League record 2004/05: 0 - 0
Spent last season on loan at Racing Santander, but upon return has not moved from the position of third keeper, behind Carroll and Howard.

Gaizka Mendieta (30), midfielder

Team: Middlesbrough
Origin: Barcelona (2003)
League record 2004/05: 7 - 0
A former superstar who hasn't been his usual self ever since leaving Valencia in 2001. In late October he suffered a severe injury which will keep him on the sidelines for the rest of the season.

Antonio Nunez (25), midfielder

Team: Liverpool
Origin: Real Madrid (2004)
League record 2004/05: 1 - 0
Former Real Madrid reserve, a proof of the Spanish League's amazing depth. Had his debut in the Premiership postponed until November 28th by a serious knee injury.

Gerard Pique (17), midfielder

Team: Manchester Utd.
Origin: Barcelona (2004)
League record 2004/05: 0 - 0
Another youth player seized from Barcelona, like Cesc. Already made his debut in the Carling Cup.

Jose Reyes (21), forward

Team: Arsenal
Origin: Sevilla (2003)
League record 2004/05: 15 - 6
Superstar since his teenage years. Arsenal spent the annual transfer budget to pick him up from Sevilla a year ago. Can fill various roles upfront. A match winner with traits of a genius.

Ozren Podnar