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Darío Osorio’s move to Crystal Palace has got plenty of people talking back in Chile, including some big names who know a thing or two about making it in Europe. The 22-year-old completed his deadline-day move from Midtjylland after three years in Denmark. We just covered quotes from one of Osorio’s coaches during his development at Universidad de Chile, César Vaccia, about his move. But he is not the only key person to have his say around there. Chile legend Iván Zamorano also believes Palace is exactly the right next step for him. Former player Fernando Vergara has also backed the transfer, and he has an interesting connection to the Eagles himself. You might not know this but Vergara almost became a Palace player nearly 30 years before Osorio finally made the move. ‘I think he’ll do very well at Crystal Palace’ Speaking to ADN Radio, he explained that Palace wanted to sign him back in 1997. “The Crystal Palace thing was a possibility. They wanted me, but I was injured at the time,” he said. “It was a huge frustration for me because of what the club and English football represented.” While playing at local giants Colo-Colo, Vergara had a trial at Crystal Palace and even had talks with Everton. However, nothing came of either of these approaches and the striker never played a competitive game in England. Funny thing is Vergara remembers a rather different Palace to the one Osorio has joined. “It was a very small club from a part of London, from a neighbourhood. The facilities were quite small as well,” he recalled. Some things haven’t changed. Palace still play at Selhurst Park in the same corner of South London. The club itself is in a very different place, though. Vergara thinks the years Osorio spent in Denmark should make the next transition much easier. “When it comes to Osorio adapting, I think he’s already there. He’s already adapted, he’s spent years in European football,” he explained. “He’s quick, he’s technical, he strikes the ball well and he’s adapted very well physically. I think he’ll do very well at Crystal Palace.” He also thinks the way Palace play could help the winger. “He’s going to have a lot of space because the team drops a little deeper,” Vergara said. Zamorano says Osorio is taking the ‘right path’ Osorio’s transfer has also caught the attention of one of Chile’s greatest ever players. Zamorano discussed the Palace move at a sporting event in Santiago, with Cooperativa carrying his comments. “After spending three years in Denmark, at Midtjylland, it’s a very important step for his development,” he said. “It’s much more dynamic and demanding football, and that’s going to be good for him and for the national team.” Zamorano then compared Osorio’s route through Europe to his own. “I first went to St. Gallen, then Sevilla, and then I got the opportunity to play for Real Madrid,” he said. “He’s taking exactly the right steps, the right path to keep growing and developing.” That’s quite a route to hold up as the example. “He’s a kid with a huge future. He’s only 22, so hopefully Crystal Palace will be very good for him. As I said, getting to the Premier League isn’t easy.” That idea has come up repeatedly in Chile since the transfer. Osorio first left home for Denmark, got his games and developed at Midtjylland. Now he’s moving into the Premier League at 22 with a club where there’s a realistic route to regular football. For Vergara and Zamorano, Palace looks like a pretty sensible next stop.