Sport/Life Attracts Attention in London
With an influx of high-profile Chilean players into the English Premier League, British journalists are seeking extra background on their new London visitors.
Sport/Life journalist John Lyons has a previous life as a football reporter in England, so was happy to pass on some of his knowledge to Paul Warburton from Get West London.
While suggesting that Lyons has been paying attention since Vargas appeared on the scene at Cobreloa in 2006 is an over-exaggeration, it was the explosion of “Turboman” during the 2011 Copa Sudamericana victory with Universidad de Chile that caught the eye of the press and fans around the world.
While it was originally expected that Vargas may join Alexis Sánchez, another Cobreloa product, at Arsenal, he joined forces with another Chilean. With his work permit in place, Vargas will look to build on his partnership with Mauricio Isla at Queens Park Rangers. The “huaso” will look to build something similar to the connection he has with Sánchez at Udinese.
It has been widely noted that Vargas has not achieved the same level as success at club level since moving on from Universidad de Chile, with his national team efforts, also under Jorge Sampaoli, seeing an impressive run of six consecutive matches with a Vargas goal, a new record for La Roja.
While the entrance of regular national team players Sánchez, Isla and Vargas brought a new Chilean flavour to the EPL, there has been an exodus of regular Chileans from England, with Jean Beausejour returning to Chile to play for Colo Colo and Gonzalo Jara moving to Mainz 05 in Germany. Gary Medel’s stay at Cardiff was short-lived, but will surely be remembered positively by the fans despite their poor campaign on the field.
Youngsters Ángelo Henríquez and Cristían Cuevas have both continued out on loan, with Manchester United sending Henríquez to Dinamo Zagreb, while Cuevas is on loan at Universidad de Chile from Chelsea.
About the Author
Daniel Boyle Founder of @sportslashlife. Australian living in Chile. Freestyle footbag player and passionate sports fan.
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