Latics Must Get Rid Of Boselli

I spoke with South American football expert, the Legendinho, Tim Vickery on Friday evening about Wigan's Mauro Boselli, who has flopped in sensational fashion since his arrival, back in the summer of 2010.

He arrived at the DW Stadium with an impressive record, having scored 32 goals in 57 appearances for Estudiantes, his capture looked to have ended the Latics search, for a genuine out and out finisher.

Tipped by many to shine in Europe, unfortunately he looks set to join the exhaustive list of expensive foreign imports, who have flattered to deceive in Europe.

Tim recalled a time when he was contacted on a regular basis by European clubs seeking his advice on the Argentine, including an unnamed Premier League coach: 'I was contacted by a certain premier league coach for advice. His agent was busy going around with DVD's cut to make him look like the great Gabriel Batistuta. I just told him to keep hold of his money.'

In order to ensure progression, Latics manager Roberto Martinez was keen to add a finisher to his squad and took the gamble. 'He is a front to goal finisher, a penalty box poacher' Tim added.

With 49 goals in 92 appearances for Estudiantes it was clear that during his development in Argentina, he knew his way to goal. During his purple patch, Boselli had the best midfield on the continent at the time behind him, including Juan Sebastian Veron and feasted on the service he received.

Tim explained why his signing was doomed from the start: 'It was clear when he arrived that he was out of his comfort zone, away from that midfield, and in a league where the defenders are quicker, stronger and better, and he struggled.'

If you take away his goals, Boselli offers little else to any team, he has no genuine pace, at under six foot he cannot be used as a target man either and his work rate leaves a lot to be desired.

His only strike for the Latics came in a League Cup tie against Swansea City. Following a string of woeful performances where his confidence plummeted, and he was quickly shipped out to Italian side Genoa, where he similarly struggled with only one goal in six appearances.

This season has seen him return to Estudiantes and his found his scoring touch once again, with 11 goals to date, including a strike on the weekend, but the fountain of knowledge on South American football does not think he will ever flourish in England: 'He is very much the definition of 'money down a rat hole,' but if he does return to England he might do better, he could hardly do worse though.

'He does have the ability to sniff out the chances in the penalty area, but as a Premier League centre forward he hasn't got a hope.'

It is clear that why he has failed at Wigan is down to ability and lack of it. The current Latics squad includes four South American's, including fellow countryman Franco Di Santo so it cannot be a case of loneliness.

It is clear that it has just not worked out for Boselli and Wigan, be rest assured that the Latics will look to cut their losses with him come the summer, rather than give a second chance. This would allow everyone to move on quickly and forget the man labelled by the fans as the worst signing in the club's history.

Niall Owens

To read more from Niall visit his blog laticsinanutshell.blogspot.co.uk

















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