Latin heat

The Iberian peninsular produces some of the most technically-gifted football players in the world.

But in one of the few lands where no one can agree lyrics for the national anthem, which language claims supremacy on the pitch?

Ever responsive to the feedback of managers, the number crunchers at HQ have conducted another study of similar depth and learning to last week’s look at the Kenna slavic contingent.

Spanish, Basque, Catalan, Valencian, Aragonese and, for good measure, Portuguese players have been pitched against each other to determine precisely which brand of tiki-taka managers should adopt next season.

The outcome

From the small data set available, it’s concluded that Valencian players offer the best return. Basque players are also a good investment, provided they’re not extorted for revolutionary tax by their fellow countrymen. The Portuguese are an excellent choice and Castilians are a safe bet.

Players from Aragon and Catalonia are overrated and should be left well alone.

Castilian

Player	Club	10/11 points	Value (£m)	Points/£m
F Torres	FC Gun Show	127	33	3.85
J Reina	Thieving Magpies	107	1.5	71.33
D Silva	Deportivo Kensington	140	19	7.37
C Cuellar	Athelico Temple	29	7	4.14
	Total	403	60.5	6.67

Basque

Player	Club	10/11 points	Value (£m)	Points/£m
M Arteta	Athletico Temple	89	9.5	9.37

Valencian

Player	Club	10/11 points	Value (£m)	Points/£m
J Enrique	Bashers FC	93	1	93

Catalan

Player	Club	10/11 points	Value (£m)	Points/£m
C Fabregas	Athletico Temple	118	43	2.74

Aragonese

Player	Club	10/11 points	Value (£m)	Points/£m
M Almunia	PSV Mornington	36	9	4

Portuguese

Player	Club	10/11 points	Value (£m)	Points/£m
Nani	Dynamo Temple	171	8	21.38