Chelsea Midfielder, Moises Caicedo and Paris St-Germain Pacho have been called to lead Ecuador at this year FIFA World Cup. Pacho goes into the mundial in top form, after tasting championship glories both Domestically and in Europe, while Caicedo on the other hand will look to overturn a turbulent season at Chelsea.
Another familiar figure in the list is Arsenal’s Piero Hincapié, who will look to form a dynamic backline with his fellow academy graduate – Pacho as ” El Tri” will look to put in a solid performance at the mundial.
Ecuador prides itself on playing tough, compact defense, conceding just five goals during South American qualifying, and that resilience is built largely around the Pacho-Hincapié partnership.
Their reunion with the national team this summer comes fresh off a remarkable week, having represented their respective clubs in the UEFA Champions League final in Budapest before joining Ecuador’s World Cup preparations.
There is also a place in the squad for former Brighton defender Pervis Estupinan, now of AC Milan, while Chelsea teenager Kendry Paez, who is on loan at River Plate, has also been selected.
Ecuador is placed in Group E alongside Germany, Ivory Coast, and Curaçao. With a defensive foundation this strong, Ecuador has genuine ambitions of making a deep run in North America.
FULL SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Hernan Galindez (Huracan)
Moises Ramirez (Kifisia)
Gonzalo Valle (LDU Quito)
Defenders: Piero Hincapie (Arsenal)
Willian Pacho (Paris St-Germain)
Pervis Estupinan (AC Milan)
Felix Torres (Internacional)
Joel Ordonez (Club Brugge)
Jackson Porozo (Tijuana)
Angelo Preciado (Atletico Mineiro)
Midfielders: Moises Caicedo (Chelsea)
Alan Franco (Atletico Mineiro)
Kendry Paez (River Plate, on loan from Chelsea)
Pedro Vite (UNAM)
Jordy Alcivar (Independiente del Valle)
Denil Castillo (Midtjylland)
Yaimar Medina (Genk)
Forwards: Enner Valencia (Pachuca)
Kevin Rodriguez (Union Saint-Gilloise)
Jordy Caicedo (Huracan)
Nilson Angulo (Sunderland)
Anthony Valencia (Antwerp)
Jeremy Arevalo (Stuttgart)