Rebuilding the NT -2018 Qualifiers

May be possible. that's still to be seen. They're probably that one team in the continent that no one really knows what to expect from in this upcoming Qualifier. They'll most likely be tougher than last Qualifier like you said, but who knows if that will be enough. To my knowledge they don't have any figures at that moment that stand out and can lead the team. But with a good coach things can change so you never know. I'm sure we'll get a decent preview between now and Copa America and then of course during the Copa America.

I'm surprised there hasn't been anymore talks about Rueda continuing or not. It's been a little quiet lately regarding that topic. This is the last I heard



Anyone see this video

Ermen Benitez didn't hesitate to say there has to be a change.

 

That generation and the U-17 that also made the Round of 16 in the WC that same year are going to be the base of this new NT. They'll fall all right into this process at the right time. It's perfect timing if you ask me.

Some players from that U-20:
-Juan Cazares-right now playing in Banfield, and so far there's good news...they have convinced River to keep him for one more season so that means Cazares will most likely be a starter in first division ball (finally) in Argentina now that Banfield has ascended. (just turned 22)

-Fernando Gaibor- already began having minutes with this NT and has slowly been included in the past few months into this NT. Unfortunately, due to an injury he was not able to be considered for this WC anymore. The few performances he had with the NT I saw some very interesting qualities from him. He has lots of potential. Last season he consolidated himself in Emelec, but this season he was a bit inconsistent but mostly due to injuries. Now in this Segunda Etapa, he'll be back and I'm pretty sure he'll gain his spot back. He just needs to snap back into his best form and I don't doubt he'll be taken into consideration (age: 22)

John Narvaez- Consolidated starter in Emelec. Due to injuries he also wasn't able to start as many games as he would've wanted to this season, but when in full health there's no one that can take the starting spot from him (age: 22)

Renato Ibarra- We saw him the majority of this Qualifier and you guys know who he is by now and what he can offer (age: 23)

Cristian Penilla- he was also part of the U-20 team, didn't play much but as many of you know he is BSC's best player in the attack and has shown very interesting qualities since last season and has consolidated himself as a starter since then. (age: just turned 23)

Marlon De Jesus- heavily criticized by many but I believe he's the best real #9 we have with potential to make it big. He did fail in Monterrey, but now he will be in Puebla so let's hope he has a great season. Fast, very powerful, and has great positioning. Misses a lot of opportunities, but to me that only means one thing- he's at the right place at the right time. He only has to polish his finishing and we got one hell of a player up front to play with Enner. I still haven't lost hopes on him. (age: 22)

Mario Pineida- Good right/left back for Independiente. Probably the best and most consistent one in the campeonato this season. Lots of offensive projection and he's solid defensively. I'd have him in mind as a substitute for Paredes.

Marcos Caicedo- Out of all the before mentioned players, he's probably the one player with potential that hasn't yet consolidated himself. He struggles to have a good entire Primera Etapa, and let's not even talk about having an entire good season. He has his moments in season where he absolutely kills it and I do believe the moment he takes control of that and keeps the consistency, we'll see his true potential. Reminds me a bit of how Enner was inconsistent and now we all know Enner's story and the type of player he is....Marcos just needs to make that transition and believe in himself and we might be witnessing another great player. But only if he makes that transition will he make it to the NT. Now he will be playing in Leon in Mexico so eyes will be on him this season from all ecua's hoping he does well. (age: 22)

From the U-17 here's the other list of players who will be taken into account:

Jose Cevallos Jr- back at Liga de Quito for the Segunda Etapa 2014. Eyes will also be on him to see how much he's improved in Europe this last year and a half. (age: 19)

Fernando Leon- Really good defender who has been on the scene in Independiente consistently since he was 17 or 18. This kid has really great qualities to fight for a spot this Qualifier in the center back position. He was rusty with the U-20 NT in that Qualifier in early 2013, but it had more to do with his confidence. I think since then he's matured playing Libertadores, Sudamericana, and being part of a protagonist team in the campeonato being a fundamental player in Independiente's defense. He has a really great free kick...I've never seen an ecuadorian center back have so much technique and score beautifully like he does. He deserves his opportunity and most likely will get it. (age: 21)

Cristian Ramirez- you guys know him. great player. Might need to gain some more muscle and defend a little better but I really like how he projects himself on the attack. I think he does that really well and his speed is a plus. He is now playing in Nuremburg in the Bundesliga 2. (age:19)

Junior Sornoza- The best mediapunta in the campeonato last year. Scored 20 goals or somewhere around that. Very quick player with a great long shot, he knows how to take a free kick, and very effective on a penalty (he only missed 1 that I can clearly remember, and let me just say he takes ALL of Independientes penalties...he rarely misses a shot). Sometimes gets lost during a game but overall his vision and creativity stand out. Even in his most discrete performances, he shows up in key moments so i'd say that's a plus. (age: 20)

Johnny Uchuari- Very quick play that possess great pace and dribbling. Despite his small physique, he isn't intimidated to take on 2 or 3 players and dribble them all out. Very dangerous on a break away or counter. His performances (goals and assists) in the 2012 Copa Sudamerica speak for themselves. He's the brain of Liga de Loja. Last season he lost of a bit of shine but this season he seems to have turned the "On" button once again. I think the most ideal thing that could happen to him is leaving Ecuador and at the very least going to Mexico where I have no doubt he would stand out. (age: 20)

Kevin Mercado- This season in Liga, especially in the last few games he was getting into top form and IMO there were some games where he seemed like one of the most devastating players we had on the attack. I can tell everyone here that I can bet this kid will make it into the NT this Qualifier if he keeps the momentum going. He left a really great impression in Liga, and unfortunately for us he will be leaving to Granada. I think he actually already left with Gabriel Corozo. But there's great possibilities for him to get playing time in Granada this season along with Gabriel Corozo. (age: 19)

Gabriel Corozo (not part of the that U-17 NT, but he's part of that age group)- Last season in 2013, he was not only one of the best juveniles in the campeonato along with Jonathan Gonzalez (voted the best) and Carlos Gruezo, but he was one of the best and most consistent defenders PERIOD. And that speaks highly of an 18 year old that debuted in first division last year and proved he could play in ANY position in defense. He could play as a center back or carrilero in a line of 3, he can play as a center back in a line of 4, and he can easily play as a left or right back since he manages both feet really well. I've said it once and i'll say it again, if this kid suffers no big injuries early on in his career, we will witness one of the greatest upcoming defenders in the continent. I put my money on this kid and I have no doubt he'll take Walter's spot and fill in for him at a great level. (age: 19)


Other players:

Luis Canga- Started this season in Liga and hasn't let go of the position. He's Liga's best juvenil and although he's had about 2 or 3 games where he had rusty performances, it wasn't all his fault. I think he'll be one of the main options for center back during this Qualifier if he continues improving. This kid is tall, strong, and has decent speed for a center back. Great anticipation skills. For the most part he has impressed me. I think he has a bright future outside of Ecuador, but he'll have to finish off this year strong before I can say anything more about him. (age:18)

Jonathan Gonzalez- the best juvenil of 2013...and he didn't win it that easily. His competition was none other than Gabriel Corozo and Carlos Gruezo, so that speaks highly of him already. At 17 he already was a starter in Independiente y no se achico. This kid plays like a 23 or 24 year old. Lots of potential in this kid and I see him in Europe sooner than later. I doubt Independiente can hold onto him for another year. Very fast and beats his opponents on the wing. I don't even remember Antonio being this fierce at that age. I have a feeling he'll break into the NT during this Qualifier despite him being really young and players like Joao will most likely loose their spot. (age: 18)

Robert Arboleda- This kid began consolidating himself last season, especially in the Copa Sudamericana games which IMO were where he stood out to me. And he's carried that consistency over onto this season and has proved to be playing at a great level for almost a year now. Definitely deserves a chance on the NT for this new process. (age:22)



I may have forgotten a few players, but these are the ones I can remember off the top of my head that are actually considered "consolidated" (for the most part) in their club teams and ready to make the jump and get an opportunity on the NT.

 

All things summed up, we have a great generation of players that aren't considered too young. Most of them around 19-23. And the youngest guys we have who are at the age of 19 like Ramirez, Gruezo, Corozo, and Mercado are all players who will be fighting for a starting spot in first division teams in europe (with the exception of Ramirez who plays in Bundesliga 2). Cevallos Jr. is 19 and has now returned to Liga with experience playing in Juventus' youth system. So we're talking about kids w/ great experience for their age who now will be ready to make the jump to the NT. Even Jonathan Gonzalez who is only 18 has already played 2 international tournaments (Lib. and Sudamericana) and has been a consolidated starter in Independiente for a year and a half.


All the other guys between age 20-23 are players who are now fully ready to play on the NT. They've proved themselves at club level for a while now, so it's time to give them that chance.

This mix of the U-17 and U-20 from a few years back has continued to develop successfully and now we will see them on the major squad. Honestly, the picture couldn't have been painted better and the timing is just right ...we got a year to work with all this. It's not like we have to go searching for players. They're right there in front of our eyes. All we need is a good coach and we can get working.

 

I think the media created this w/ whatever Erazo said about Antonio having to apologize to the fans for getting carded in that game vs. France. I wouldn't feed into it.

 

In Europe the U-23 is an important part of the NT processes. The problem is in South America we don't have U23 competitions. This point was actually brought up on Codigo Mundial the other night stating exactly what you are saying. They said that certain players in Ecuador sometimes get lost b/c between U-20 and the NT there's a huge leap to make it there and some players don't fully consolidate themselves at club level and end up getting stuck. I completely agree with what you're saying. Players like Dennis Quinonez and Jaramillo are really great examples of that. It's a tough jump from U-20 to the NT but the good thing is that a great number of them from the past U-17 and U-20 teams have continued developing successfully so far at their clubs and ended up gaining a starting spot.

Anyway, I don't think the keeper situation is anything to be worried about. Keepers usually even hit their prime around 33-37. Cevallos was a great example of that. Tim Howard from the US is 35 and in beast mode. Buffon is 36 and still in great shape. Dominguez just turned 27 this past month and Banguera is 28. We got both of them set for another 2 WC's so there's more than enough time for another young keeper with great potential to show up. And Bone isn't bad, he's average and has room for improvement. No rush in that part of the field IMO.