Spanish exiles adding some steel to World Cup squad

MADRID, June 2: Traditionally Spanish footballers have been a home-loving bunch, preferring the familiar surroundings of the Primera Liga to the unexplored territory of big-name foreign leagues.

The difficulty of breaking strong family ties, differences in food, language, climate and life-style were all used as explanations for the players' reluctance to try their luck overseas in the past.

In recent years that stay-at-home image has come under threat as increasing numbers of Spanish players have taken the plunge and decided to ply their trade abroad.

The present Spanish squad -- at least until Asier del Horno was ruled out with an injury -- contained six players who make their living in the England and many believe that their inclusion adds a new dimension to a side that has won an unwelcome reputation for choking on the big occasions.

Players like Xabi Alonso, Luis Garcia, Pepe Reina and Cesc Fabregas have thrived in the Premier League and are likely to bring a harder edge to a national team that is often accused of being high on skill and technique but short on grit and determination.

There was a time when only a handful of Spanish players chose to venture abroad, with those that did leave tending to favour destinations such as Italy or South America where social and cultural similarities made adaptation that much easier.

Spain was renowned for its illustrious imports, with Argentine great Alfredo Di Stefano blazing the trail when he signed for Real Madrid in the mid-1950s.

From then on a string of top-class players graced La Liga with their presence, men such as Hungarian greats Ferenc Puskas and Ladislao Kubala, Dutch genius Johan Cruyff, Argentine legend Diego Maradona, Brazilian forward Romario and French midfielder Zinedine Zidane.

But in the last decade it has not just been the big names who have come to Spain, a constant stream of lesser-known players from abroad have also landed in the Primera Liga.

Arsenal midfielder Fabregas is a prime example of a talented young player who realised that he would have a much greater chance of making it in England than in Spain. Arsene Wenger gave him the opportunity to experience first-team football at the age of just 17 -- something he would never have enjoyed at his former club Barcelona -- and he responded brilliantly.

He became the club's youngest debutant and goal scorer and then went on to fill the gap left by Patrick Vieira with such aplomb that the club has barely missed the big Frenchman.

The obsession that Spain's two biggest clubs Barcelona and Real Madrid have with signing foreign stars has also forced bigger-name players to look abroad.

Fernando Morientes opted for a move to Anfield after seeing his first-team appearances at Real restricted by the arrival of first Ronaldo and then Michael Owen.

Both Jose Antonio Reyes and Xabi Alonso were on Real's agenda before moving to England, but the club preferred to sign more marketable foreign players instead.

The hefty transfer fees and big wages paid in England are another incentive for players to make the switch.

Reyes' sale to Arsenal effectively solved Sevilla's financial problems, while Alonso's move to Liverpool saved Sociedad from imminent bankruptcy.

The greater coverage given to the Primera Liga by English television means that Spanish players are given more exposure, and the emergence of more European-minded managers such as Rafa Benitez, Wenger and Jose Mourinho has also reinforced the trend.

Not all Spanish players have flourished in England, though.

Reyes has struggled with the English lifestyle and has made it clear in the past he would jump at the chance to return to Spain, while Morientes recently chose to sign for Valencia after a disappointing 18 months at Liverpool.

However, a growing number of Spanish players are managing to break the mould and fans are hoping that their experience will help give the national side that extra edge in Germany.

REUTERS