Copa America: La Liga's finest in action

The 2011 Copa America is upon us. And, as always, La Liga is well represented.
Leo Messi, Kun Aguero, Dani Alves, and Diego Forlan are among the stars. Let's meet some of the supporting cast...

Gary Medel -- Chile

To fans of La Liga Gary Medel may be a name that has only very recently come under the radar. Sevilla purchased his services in last seasons Winter transfer window. The La Liga club paid Universidad Catolica around 3 million euros for the midfielder already capped 30 times for his native Chile. An impressive 18 month loan spell at Boca Juniors attracted the attention of some Europe's top clubs. Sevilla eventually saw off competition from the likes of Liverpool to land the player.

The Chilean midfielder made an immediate impression on Andalucian fans with his formidable style of tough tackling and hard work in the heart of midfield. His aggression and fearlessness have earned comparisons to Gennaro Gattuso and the the nickname El Pitbull. His strength came to the fore in a leage match agant Barcelona and in the Europa League clash wth Fc Porto.

Forming a partnership with another January signing Ivan Rakitic, the 23 year old has provided much needed the guts alongide the more creative, goalscoring style of his new teammate.
The solidity and steel he provides have been very much lackng at Sevilla since Christian Poulsen and Seydou Keita have moved to pastures new. With the talented Medel/Rakitic pairing, Sevllia hope to return to Spain's top four and the Champions League football they've missed out on for several seasons.

At first glance the small transfer fee appears to be a shrewd piece of business. With one major international tournament already under his belt this Summer provides the perfect opportunity for the La Liga newcomer to announce himself as one of the worlds up and coming midfielders. Before embarking on his first full season in one of Europe's top leagues, Medel must first lead his team in the tournaments group of death, where they face Uruguay, Peru and Mexico.

With Claudio Borghi replacing Marcelo Bielsa as Chile coach this year, Medel role in the national team has shifted. Last year World Cup saw him deployed at centre back in all three of his appearances. With a change in coach came a change of formation, Borghi favours a 4-3-3 over Bielsa's 3-3-1-3. Under Borghi, Medel plays a midfield enforcer, a role he has excelled at since arriving in La Liga.

With Chile coming into the Copa America boasting perhap the most exciting prospect in European football, Alexis Sanchez, Medel will look to play a key role for one of the tournament underdogs. Medel's style may not be pretty, make headlines or resemble the typical graceful
midfielder for which Spanish football is renound, but Medel is an antidote to the skillful, free flowing football he will encounter playing for Sevilla and Chile.

El Pitbull is undoubtedly a player both sides need to compete with the very best.