Chile's Medel joins critics of foreign players in national lineup

Chile's national football team defender Gary Medel Tuesday joined others in the lineup who have criticized the inclusion of foreign players.

"If my colleagues say it doesn't suit them, I agree with that," Medel told local Radio Cooperativa.

Medel, who plays for Italy's Inter, joined national team forward Eduardo Vargas, of England's PQR, in expressing the belief that the squad doesn't need foreign talent.

That opinion differs with that of the team's Argentine coach Jorge Sampaoli, who has been promoting the inclusion of foreign-born players.

Medel's statement came on the same day local daily El Mercurio reported that Argentine-born forward Mauro Zarate, an offensive player for English team West Ham United, agreed to play on Chile's team during qualifiers for the 2018 Russia World Cup.

Sampaoli has on various occasions said the team needs to beef up its weak offensive front, especially in the lead up to the 2015 Copa America, which Chile will host in the summer.

According to Medel, South America's top regional championship "is going to be tough for all the national teams" competing, but Chile can stand its ground with its Chilean lineup. Endi