Wilson Palacios is worth all the money

Take one look at Wilson Palacios and you would never guess that he is a football player. But take a look at him on the football pitch and you will know he is destined for big things. The Honduran midfielder managed to show all his talent in just one and a half year in England and made Tottenham pay £14 million for his services. Many pundits debated whether he was worth all that money but just one game in Tottenham jersey was enough to convince them of his qualities.

Let me start from the beginning. Wilson Palacios become a star in his country playing for Olimpia, but it took him some time to get noticed by big European clubs. He become regular in the national team and that is when certain agents spotted him and started taking him to trials in Europe. He was on trial at Red Star, Cagliari and Monaco but even though he showed a lot of potential the clubs failed to agree a deal with his representatives and he returned to Honduras. However, he was called by Arsene Wenger for a trial with Arsenal and once again Palacios did enough to impress his suitors. Still, Wenger had enough midfield options at the time and he instead recommended Palacios to Steve Bruce, who was at Birmingham at the time. Bruce decided to sign the player after watching him play just 45 minutes in a friendly game and that decision proved one of the best in Bruce’s managerial history.

However, Steve Bruce left Birmingham to join Wigan, but Alex McLeish, who succeeded Bruce at Birmingham didn’t give Palacios enough playing time. When Birmingham failed to extend Palacio’s contract, Bruce immediately brought him to Wigan and the rest is history. The hard-working midfielder was impressive with the Latics and he quickly became one of the key players in the team. His impressive physical characteristics and great ball control were soon spotted by the big English clubs and despite all efforts Bruce couldn’t keep him at the club. Tottenham paid £14 million in January and let me remind you that Bruce only paid £1 million when he brought him to the club.

Many pundits and probably the majority of Tottenham fans were wondering why he was paid all that money, but I am positive that they were convinced why after his debut in the North London derby against Arsenal. You would admit that any player would be under enormous pressure to be handed a debut in such a high-profile game, but these kinds of games makes great players. Palacios bossed the centre of the park with his inch-perfect tackling and confident passing and it was simply one of the best debuts White Hart Lane has ever seen. You could argue that it was just one game and that he will not be able to keep the good form in the longer run, but I have seen him play for Wigan on several occasions and believe you me, he will become the hero of White Hart Lane. Palacios is just what Tottenham have been missing, an all-round midfielder, who can play in both direction and he will be the future star of World football.

Popularity: 8% [?]