By Andy Naylor »
Agustin Battipiedi is still pinching himself as he gazes around Albion’s well-appointed training base on the Algarve.
A few weeks ago Battipiedi and his Argentinian team-mate, Cristian Baz, could only dream about such footballing luxury.
The 20-year-old midfielder and striker Baz, three years his senior, were with Comunicaciones, a debt-ridden third division club in Buenos Aires.
Now they are on the Seagulls’ pre-season tour of Portugal after signing one-year contracts.
A scouting mission to South America by Gus Poyet and his Argentinian assistant, Mauricio Taricco, has transformed their careers.
Battipiedi revealed: “There are many differences between the clubs. This club is more professional. Everything you need is close to hand.
“In Argentina the teams are generally poorer and the conditions not so good, although they do their best.
“For example, here our kit, shoes and flip-flops are provided for you. In Argentina we had to take our own.
“We had the same tops but different shorts and footwear. It’s kind of professional but a bit amateur at the same time.
“As for players, I haven’t seen much yet but I think our team is a very good standard and there are many differences in the way of playing.
“In terms of the physical side and running it is very similar to the league in Argentina but Gus’s idea is to try to keep the ball and also go forward. In Argentina that is difficult because the pitches aren’t so good.
“There are many differences in wages as well. Here you earn in pounds and the exchange rate between Argentinian pounds is so big that you multiply.
“It’s a great opportunity for me on both counts, professionally and economically.”
Battipiedi’s move to England is also a big deal emotionally for his family, especially his mother, who works for an Italian transport company back at home.
His father is an engineer and he has a 24-year-old brother and two sisters, aged 18 and 13.
He said: “My brother has been promoted and sent abroad to work so my mother is sad but proud and happy with our achievements. It is difficult for the family but good for us.
“Brighton is a very nice city and the people are very kind and friendly so we really feel at home. We are very happy to be here, doing what we love.”
Having two South Americans in charge in Poyet and Taricco has eased the settling in process.
The multi-lingual Battipiedi said: “They help us a lot every day, in every session. If there is anything we need or perhaps we don’t understand they are always repeating things in Spanish.
“That’s great, because it’s like being in Argentina, with people that speak our language.”
Battipiedi can speak French too, although not quite as fluently as he does English. Once Albion return from Portugal on Monday night, the migration will be further enhanced by moving with Baz, or ‘Chino’ as he calls him, from their hotel in Brighton city centre to a flat.
On the field, Battipiedi has already made an impact. He scored at Eastbourne Borough last Saturday on his debut, which was delayed while Albion awaited international clearance.
He played the last six minutes of Wednesday’s 1-1 draw against Sunderland and is looking forward to being involved again against Portimonense tonight after more twice-daily training sessions at the Seagulls’ base in Vale do Lobo.
Battipiedi added: “This place is amazing. The houses are great and the hotel very nice. Being here and playing against a Premier League team – it’s like a dream.”
Sounds like he is enjoying it. Lets hope he is a success here.
Agustin Battipiedi is still pinching himself as he gazes around Albion’s well-appointed training base on the Algarve.
A few weeks ago Battipiedi and his Argentinian team-mate, Cristian Baz, could only dream about such footballing luxury.
The 20-year-old midfielder and striker Baz, three years his senior, were with Comunicaciones, a debt-ridden third division club in Buenos Aires.
Now they are on the Seagulls’ pre-season tour of Portugal after signing one-year contracts.
A scouting mission to South America by Gus Poyet and his Argentinian assistant, Mauricio Taricco, has transformed their careers.
Battipiedi revealed: “There are many differences between the clubs. This club is more professional. Everything you need is close to hand.
“In Argentina the teams are generally poorer and the conditions not so good, although they do their best.
“For example, here our kit, shoes and flip-flops are provided for you. In Argentina we had to take our own.
“We had the same tops but different shorts and footwear. It’s kind of professional but a bit amateur at the same time.
“As for players, I haven’t seen much yet but I think our team is a very good standard and there are many differences in the way of playing.
“In terms of the physical side and running it is very similar to the league in Argentina but Gus’s idea is to try to keep the ball and also go forward. In Argentina that is difficult because the pitches aren’t so good.
“There are many differences in wages as well. Here you earn in pounds and the exchange rate between Argentinian pounds is so big that you multiply.
“It’s a great opportunity for me on both counts, professionally and economically.”
Battipiedi’s move to England is also a big deal emotionally for his family, especially his mother, who works for an Italian transport company back at home.
His father is an engineer and he has a 24-year-old brother and two sisters, aged 18 and 13.
He said: “My brother has been promoted and sent abroad to work so my mother is sad but proud and happy with our achievements. It is difficult for the family but good for us.
“Brighton is a very nice city and the people are very kind and friendly so we really feel at home. We are very happy to be here, doing what we love.”
Having two South Americans in charge in Poyet and Taricco has eased the settling in process.
The multi-lingual Battipiedi said: “They help us a lot every day, in every session. If there is anything we need or perhaps we don’t understand they are always repeating things in Spanish.
“That’s great, because it’s like being in Argentina, with people that speak our language.”
Battipiedi can speak French too, although not quite as fluently as he does English. Once Albion return from Portugal on Monday night, the migration will be further enhanced by moving with Baz, or ‘Chino’ as he calls him, from their hotel in Brighton city centre to a flat.
On the field, Battipiedi has already made an impact. He scored at Eastbourne Borough last Saturday on his debut, which was delayed while Albion awaited international clearance.
He played the last six minutes of Wednesday’s 1-1 draw against Sunderland and is looking forward to being involved again against Portimonense tonight after more twice-daily training sessions at the Seagulls’ base in Vale do Lobo.
Battipiedi added: “This place is amazing. The houses are great and the hotel very nice. Being here and playing against a Premier League team – it’s like a dream.”
Sounds like he is enjoying it. Lets hope he is a success here.
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I wondered how long it would be before someone spotted the mistake.
