Top 10 South Americans in Premier League history

#3 Carlos Tevez

Carlos Tevez's Premier League career was controversial but brilliant

One of the most controversial signings in Premier League history, Carlos Tevez’s move to West Ham – alongside Argentine compatriot Javier Mascherano – in 2006 shook the football world to the core, not only because of the idea of two potentially world-class players moving to a relatively small club, but because it was the first move to really highlight the issue of third-party player ownership, an issue that still causes controversy today.

It says a lot about the talents of Tevez that most people have forgotten about the whole debacle now following seven years in England that saw him not only single-handedly save West Ham from relegation – he scored seven goals late in the 2006/07 season, including a final day winner against Manchester United that allowed the Hammers to survive – but go on to win two Premier League titles – and a Champions League – with United, and then a further Premier League title and an FA Cup with Manchester City.

Sure, Tevez’s move to City was almost as controversial as his move to West Ham – remember the ‘Welcome to Manchester’ banner? – and his exit from England was pretty unceremonious, but while he was in the Premier League he was awesome. He scored 84 Premier League goals in just 165 starts, and is the only South American to win the Premier League with two different clubs.