As scouts from all around the globe head to Ecuador for the Sudamericano under 20 tournament, these are 5 of the players who could be set to shine for their respective countries.
Santiago Ascacibar (Argentina) – Undoubtedly the standout name for Argentina, the young Estudiantes central midfielder has been a phenomenon this season and a major reason the club led the league table for so long. Already being referred to as the new Mascherano, the comparisons are undeniable as Ascacibar has that ability to pop up in all areas of the field without ever being caught out of position. This is testament to his reading of the game and knowing when to press and when to maintain a more disciplined position.
Nicolás Schiappacasse (Uruguay) – One of many players in this tournament that plays in the Atletico de Madrid youth sides, Schiappacasse however is the one with the highest pedigree having already established himself in the River Plate (Uruguay) side before a move was agreed. The 17 year old’s record at all youth levels is phenomenal with almost a goal of every game and he could well be a good bet for top scorer. His movement is exceptional due to lightning pace while Schiappacasse often drops into deeper and winder positions to link the play.
Fernando Pacheco (Peru) – The captain at u15, 16 and 17 levels, Pacheco has also made the step up to u20 with relative ease. His muscular frame and strong running ability combined with trickery make him a very difficult opponent to mark for opposition full backs. While he can be accused of individualism at times, it is often this characteristic that Peru rely on to produce a game defining moment.
Rodrigo Bentancur (Uruguay)– The second Uruguayan on the list, Juventus recently confirmed that Bentancur will move to Turin later this year in a deal that could rise to $15m. The midfielder is by far the most experienced player in the tournament having played in the Boca Juniors first team for almost 2 years. He will be expected to control the tempo from midfield for this hugely talented Uruguayan side as he has shown recently with Boca that he is more than capable of doing. Although questions remain about his consistency, there are no questions about the talent he possesses.
Bryan Cabezas (Ecuador) – The winger has struggled to adapt to life in Serie A at Atalanta with playing time being sparse. The talent is unquestionable as seen in his performances for Independiente del Valle in their shock run to the final of the Copa Liberatadores where he wreaked havoc from the left wing against both Boca and River. Expect Cabezas to have a point to prove in the tournament having not played competitive football since leaving Ecuador.
