Club legend Bruno has revealed how much help the Spanish-speaking players have helped each other thrive at the club.
Bruno, 41, came to the club a decade ago from Spain and is aware how easier it is to settle into a new environment once you learn the language.
“Since I came in 2012 the club has had a strong link with Spanish culture although we’ve always had a variety of cultures.
“Rob [Sanchez] and Marc [Cucurella] have been able to show a lot of their personality and brought a lot to their team because they’ve been comfortable, but then we’ve also got the South American players Steven Alzate, Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister and Jeremy Sarmiento. You can see their levels and qualities are helped by their ability to communicate with each other. They give us something special.”
Bruno says it is crucial for young players to be able to communicate quickly and sees evidence of how it helps in the way midfielders Caicedo and Mac Allister have developed this season. Mac Allister had his best season in the Premier League with 33 appearances and five goals while Ecuador international Caicedo became a regular under Graham Potter after making his debut in the 2-1 win against Arsenal in April.
“It’s [the language] vital for those first steps,” he said. “I think Moises has been amazing since day one with his humility, his hunger to play football. Even though he didn’t speak any English, he was able to communicate with the boys and he’s been taking a lot of English lessons. You can see all that work from the last few months in the way he expresses himself on the pitch.
“But to have somebody around you who can speak Spanish helps you to settle in and be yourself. The danger is when you become too comfortable and maybe don’t learn the language of the country you’re in, but that hasn’t been the case here. The players are learning, and their English is outstanding. Listening to Alexis, how his English has improved since he came here is incredible.”