With the 2023 season coming to an end in Ecuadorian youth football, I thought it was only right to write my thougths about the most interesting players of the youth competitions. I mainly based my opinion around the clubs who had the best live coverage and broadcasts (Orense SC, Independiente del Valle & Liga de Quito). My aim for next year is to also watch more footage of clubs like SD Aucas and Universidad Católica. The U-13 & U-15 competition was won by Independiente del Valle, the U-17 competition was won by Liga de Quito and the U-19 competition was won by SD Aucas. Aucas also qualified for the U-20 Copa Libertadores by winning the U-19 competition.
Allen Obando is a 17-year-old striker who plays for the first team of Barcelona SC. Even though he is still eligible to play for Barcelona SC U-17, Obando was mainly playing for Barcelona SC U-19 in the first half of the season. The striker got six senior appearances for Barcelona SC in the second half of the season and is now a regular squad player for them. I’ve watched Obando this season in the Sudamericano U-17, World Cup U-17, Copa Tango MDM U-18 and for Barcelona SC. This is the first time I’m writing about Obando for Target Scouting.
The striker is very tall standing at around 1.88 meters and has a slim build with strong legs. He generates a lot of power from his legs in both ground and aerial duels, looking very strong in duels with his back towards the goal and winning most of his aerial duels. Obando has shown glimpses of being a great athlete, turning away from his opponent quickly and looking like a very mobile striker. He is quick over short and long distances. Obando will get even faster once he’s fully developed physically. He sporadically has average footwork and can look a bit slow, even though he is not slow.
Allen Obando has the potential to reach elite levels at holding- and linking up play. His technique is quite inconsistent. He can occasionally lose control over the ball in tight areas but has also shown glimpses of good dribbling ability. His passing over both short and longer distances is also inconsistent. He does not always pass the ball cleanly and his passing can lack accuracy. His headed passing also lacks accuracy and direction, even though he also receives the ball in isolation sometimes. His positioning in the box is pretty decent, often getting on the end of crosses and displaying decent finishing ability with his head and both feet. Obando is quite composed in front of goal, but his ball-striking is pretty inconsistent.
I expect that Allen Obando will become a regular starter for Barcelona SC in 2024. However, as Barcelona SC are not particularly known for giving youth academy players many chances, it remains to be seen whether he will actually become a regular starter. He has the level to play regularly in the Ecuadorian Liga Pro.
I think it will not take long before the young Ecuadorian will make a transfer to Europe, as his physical profile in combination with his athleticism and decent technique. His technique will get a lot more consistent once he gets older, while he will get even stronger and quicker once he is fully developed physically. I am not sure if he can become a world-class striker but he has a very interesting profile and definitely has the potential to play for good clubs in the top 5 leagues. His next step should be either Belgium, The Netherlands or Portugal.
Edwin Quintero played a full season for Independiente del Valle U-15. Quintero scored one of the three goals in the deciding match against Barcelona SC U-15. The midfielder also competed in the Next Generation Trophy (U-16) and the CONMEBOL Evolucion (U-14) tournament. I did a write-up about Quintero’s performances in the Next Generation Trophy. He mainly played as a central midfielder or on the right-wing in a free role to roam. Edwin Quintero scored 10 goals in 29 matches this season for Independiente del Valle U-15.
The midfielder is around 1.75m tall and has a slim build. Edwin Quintero has explosive speed over short distances, has an incredibly smooth running style and looks extremely quick for his age. He is also very quick over longer distances. Quintero changes directions very quickly and looks agile. The young Ecuadorian is strong on the ball, often managing to stay out of the duels. However, he needs to gain some extra muscle mass and bulk up (a bit) in the upcoming years. This will happen naturally, though.
Edwin Quintero mixes technical excellence and tactical intelligence. He has very special close control in tight areas and dribbles with both feet. The midfielder likes to dictate play and plays with the pass-and-move principle. He likes to play plenty of quick, short combinations. Quintero likes to take on opponents, using quick step-overs and creating separation easily. He always seems to have the ball on a string. Quintero has good vision, always maintaining his composure and finding the right option. His ball-striking is very good, being able to score from both close and long range with nice long shots.
He often plays with a high intensity, trying to make runs in behind and always trying to receive the ball between the lines. His smart positioning allows him to stay out of the duels and as he likes to play one- or two-touch football, it is hard to close Quintero down. His runs in behind are quite good and stretches the opponent’s defence. Defensively, he does not scare away from physical duels, looking strong and assertive in 50/50 duels and fighting himself back into the duels after getting beat.
My expectations for 2024 are that Edwin Quintero gets regular game time for Independiente del Valle U-17, whilst also getting some minutes in the U-15’s. I think that he will make his debut for Independiente del Valle U-19 towards the end of 2024, too. I think he will end up playing in a free role on the right, coming inside with his strong left foot. The 2008 & 2009 generation of Independiente del Valle is regarded as the best generation they’ve ever had and it is clear to see why. Edwin Quintero has the potential to become a world-class player.
Bruno Caicedo is an 18-year-old left-winger who currently plays for Barcelona SC U-19. He has only played for the U-19’s this season and is yet to make his debut for the first team of Barcelona SC. Caicedo scored nine goals in 19 appearances for the U-19’s this season. He was previously linked to a move to Brazilian giants Flamengo but the transfer did not go through. Barcelona SC U-19 failed to reach the semi-finals as they ended just outside the top 2 in the second stage.
The winger is quite tall, standing at around (estimation) 1.80m – 1.85m. He has a slim build but has strong legs. His strong legs help him to shield and protect the ball in physical duels, although he sometimes gets surprised against aggressive opponents. Caicedo is quite strong in shoulder-to-shoulder duels. He has good jumping reach in aerial duels. His burst and changes of speed are impressive. Caicedo’s ability to accelerate and decelerate is sublime. He is very quick over longer distances too. Caicedo changes directions pretty quickly. The Ecuadorian winger desperately needs to work on his stamina and endurance if he wants to play at a senior level. He has good footwork in tight spaces.
Bruno Caicedo is very much a natural, touchline winger. He likes to provide width and receive the ball in space, before attempting to take on his opponents and trying to create a shooting opportunity. His dribbling ability is very good, especially close to the touchline and byline, displaying good changes of speed and close control. Caicedo tends to release the ball at the right times often, but can sometimes overdribble. The execution of his passes under pressure is inconsistent, too, despite displaying good vision to spot his teammates in space while dribbling.
The 18-year-old plays with a lot of flair and bravery, even playing a rabona through pass in one of the matches I watched. However, this was also because he refrains from using his weaker left foot. Caicedo is capable of dribbling past both the in- and outside. His ball-striking from distance is decent. Bruno Caicedo likes to crash into the box at the right time, often getting on the end of attacks. His heading ability is decent but not great. Caicedo should try to make more runs in behind, with his speed he could pose a bigger threat in front of goal. His final ball is decent but he needs to work on his weak foot.
My expectation for 2024 is that Barcelona SC lets Caicedo play for the U-19’s or for their affiliate team (Toreros FC). He might have played for them already but there’s no information about that. I think Bruno Caicedo should leave on loan to a Liga Pro side. He is ready to play at senior level, but needs to improve his stamina and weak foot. Bruno Caicedo has the potential to play in Brazil or Argentina.
Erick Zambrano is a 16-year-old attacker who plays for the first team of Orense SC. The striker mainly played in the U-19’s this season but was promoted to the first team after the first half of the season. He has had a few sub appearances for the first team of Orense. Zambrano also played for the U-17’s in the semi-finals of the U-17 league. Zambrano also was a squad player at the U-17 World Cup.
He stands at around 1.73m – 1.76m with a strong upper body and leg strength. He generates a lot of power from his legs and holds his own physically against senior-level opponents. Zambrano has good bursts of speed and displays good speed over long distances too. He changes directions quickly and is agile. Zambrano also has great athleticism, footwork and flexibility.
Zambrano has regularly played as a left-winger, but he also made some appearances in the striker position. In this position, he has shown plenty of potential. He has good off-the-ball movement in the box, displaying poaching instintcs and often being in the right place at the right time. He has a good first touch under pressure but can have lapses of concentration. His short passing is very clean but he can improve his long passing. He has good ball-carrying ability due to his good burst, strength on the ball and close control. Zambrano mainly relies on his strength and speed to create separation in isolated 1v1s on the wing. After dribbling past his opponent on the outside, he tries to put in cut-backs but he needs to improve the quality of his cut-backs. Zambrano’s ball-striking from close range and long range is his greatest strength. He can score from close and long range and very often hits the ball cleanly and with accuracy.
The attacker seems to be a very determined striker, displaying a very good work rate and having impressive stamina. Being promoted to the first team at the age of 15, it shows that Orense SC have a lot of confidence in him. Zambrano is a very effective presser, sometimes even recovering possession high up the pitch and creating goal-scoring opportunities quickly after. He had one moment where he lost his cool and kicked his opponent which led to a red card. However, I think it was just an incident rather than a reoccuring theme.
My expectation for 2024 is that Erick Zambrano becomes a regular starter for Orense SC. I think Erick Zambrano definitely is a striker and not a winger. He has the potential to become very good at holding up play due to his strength, good short passing technique and his ability to turn away sharply from his opponent. Zambrano also has very good finishing ability due to his good ball-striking and good poaching instincts. Depending on his development, I think that he has the potential to play for Europa League teams in the top 5 leagues.
Youri Ochoa mainly played for Independiente Juniors in 2023, but he also made a handful of appearances for Independiente del Valle U-19 and was one of the regular starters for the U-20 team who reached the finals in the U-20 Copa Libertadores. Ochoa has not made an appearance for Independiente del Valle’s first team in 2023, even though he made his debut for the Sangolquí-based side in 2022.
The midfielder stands at 1.73m with a slim build. He is not that strong in physical duels but battles well. Ochoa loses most of his aerial duels despite having decent timing and jumping reach. He has a good burst of speed and generates decent speed over longer distances. He is quite agile and changes directions quickly.
Ochoa mainly plays as a left central midfielder. He scans well before receiving and acts accordingly, taking a progressive touch when the space is there despite his first touch being a bit sloppy sporadically. His passing technique over short and long distances is good but he occasionally fails to keep the ball over the ground playing line-breaking passes. Ochoa displays decent vision, choice of passing and decision-making in the final third. He can become an aggressive ball-carrier, displaying excellent ball control, speed and athleticism. The Ecuadorian midfielder uses space efficiently, always receiving the ball in space and recognizing space in behind. Ochoa times his runs well and has the ability to make late runs into the box. Receiving the ball in first-phase possession, Ochoa likes to carry the ball forward into space or to play a diagonal pass towards one of the wingers or wing-backs.
Defensively, Youri Ochoa displays great energy and intensity to consistently put pressure on the opponent’s midfield or defensive line. However, if he does not bulk up and become stronger, his lack of physique will always hinder him in important duels in midfield. Ochoa displays decent defensive positioning but should improve this even further trying to compensate for his lack of physique. Ochoa is positively aggressive in physical duels, also displaying decent timing to step up.
My expectation for 2024 is that Youri Ochoa will play another full season for Independiente Juniors. He needs to work on his physical level in order to become an interesting player for clubs in Belgium. His technical and tactical profile is really interesting and good, so teams playing in the Challenger Pro League (in Belgium) might see him as an interesting target currently already. However, with Independiente del Valle having a strong financial position, it will probably tough to lure Youri Ochoa away from Independiente del Valle for a transfer fee that reflects his current market value.
Jair Collahuazo is a 17-year-old left-sided central defender who plays for CS Emelec U-19. He mainly played his football for the U-19’s this season, although he was a regular squad player for the first-team, too. However, he has not yet made his official debut for El Bombillo. Collahuazo also played for Ecuador U-17 in the Sudamericano U-17 and World Cup U-17. He was a regular starter in both tournaments.
He stands at 1.96m with a slim build. Collahuazo is relatively quick over short distances and has good speed over long distances. He has good mobility and footwork and can turn his body quite quickly. The left-footed defender has good timing in aerial duels, while his height also gives him an advantage. Collahuazo needs to work on his physical ability in the upcoming months.
The left-sided central defender prefers to play in a high defensive line, defending proactively and aggressively whilst also showcasing his on-the-ball ability. Collahuazo’s aggressiveness can turn into rashness defensively, as his average timing at times leads to his opponent turning away from him too easily. During the times he gets there at the right time, he can be very assertive and dominant in duels with his back towards the goal, also using his long legs to get around his opponent and win back the ball. Collahuazo often covers runs in behind very well but tends to not stay close enough to his partner in defence, allowing opponents too much space to make runs in behind and not covering these runs adequately. The Ecuadorian defender covers out wide well and often uses his long legs to block crosses on the wing. He is decent in isolated 1v1 duels on the wing but could improve a lot if he works on his body orientation and body shape.
Jair Collahuazo displays excellent technique on the ball. The left central defender tends to carry the ball forward a few meters before offloading a long, diagonal pass. His passing range is impressive and he has a very clean long passing technique, despite his passes sometimes lacking accuracy. His short passing is very secure and solid. The Ecuadorian defender displays excellent composure under pressure, too. He has shown glimpses of good ball-carrying and dribbling ability during the U-17 World Cup, dribbling past a few players whilst being put under pressure in first-phase possession. Collahuazo has the potential to become a good ball-playing defender.
My expectation for 2024 is that Jair Collahuazo gets a chance in Emelec’s first team during pre-season but I am not too confident on Hernán Torres to give him a run of games. Even though there is a lot of work to do for Jair Collahuazo, his unique profile (tall, quick, mobile, left-footed & good on the ball) might convince clubs like Club Brugge, KRC Genk or RSC Anderlecht to sign Collahuazo in 2024. He would be good enough to play in the Challenger Pro League. Collahuazo has the potential to play in the top 5 leagues.
Cristhian Ortiz is a 15-year-old versatile midfielder of Orense U-19. The young Ecuadorian is also a U-15 international. Ortiz mainly played for Orense U-19, but also had a handful of appearances for the U-15s and U-17s in the finals of the domestic league. I’ve seen the midfielder play as a defensive midfielder, central midfielder and attacking midfielder. I have not previously written about Orense’s youngster.
The midfielder stands at around 1.70m – 1.75m with an average upper body build and strong legs. Ortiz displays a good burst of speed over short distances and has good speed over longer distances. At just 15, he will likely become even faster in the upcoming years. Cristhian Ortiz protects the ball well, using his strong legs to maintain his balance and not getting pushed off the ball easily. He is quite athletic; Ortiz is capable of using quick and good feints to put his opponent on the wrong foot and he is relatively agile.
Cristhian Ortiz has a very nice technique, although he is not as technically gifted as the Quintero brothers. The midfielder’s passing technique over short and long distances is very clean. Ortiz likes to spread play. He sporadically mishits the ball but he will become more consistent over time. Playing in a more advanced position, Ortiz relies more on his creativity to play high-risk passes with both feet. His success rate is inconsistent but the fact he displays such good vision makes me think he has a high ceiling.
The midfielder dares to take on opponents in first-phase possession, displaying a good burst and quick feints to dribble past his opponent. He can sporadically be a bit too casual in attacking 1v1s on his own half, losing the ball and getting into trouble. Ortiz’s first touch under pressure is quite good. He strikes the ball really well from both close and long range. Ortiz is also a set-piece specialist, scoring free-kicks and delivering dangerous crosses from corners and free-kicks. Defensively, he looks quite responsible at the age of 15, being at the right place at the right time in most situations. He also displays good decision-making in transition, making important interceptions in midfield.
Orense SC are doing a great job promoting young players like Erick Zambrano and Cristhian Ortiz to the U-19’s or even the first team. It shows their commitment to developing young players for the first team. My expectation for 2024 is that Cristhian Ortiz plays another full season for the U-19s. He potentially will make his first-team debut in the latter stages of 2024. The midfielder has the potential to make a transfer to Europe when he turns 18.
Ariel Borja is a 18-year-old midfielder who plays for Liga de Quito under 19. The young Ecuadorian made his debut for the first team of Liga de Quito in 2022 but has only played for the under 19’s in the 2023 season. He was one of the few players of Liga de Quito U-19 in 2023 who displayed decent to good potential as they missed out on the semi-finals of the U-19 league after ending fifth in the second stage of the season.
The central midfielder stands at around 1.80m – 1.85m and has an average build. He has a good physique, winning most of his duels in midfield. Borja uses his body smartly in physical duels, pushing the opponent off the ball without giving away a foul and putting his body between the ball and the opponent. He has good jumping reach and timing in aerial duels but needs to become a little bit smarter in aerial duels to become more effective in aerial duels. Borja has a good burst of speed and displays good speed over longer distances, too. He has decent changes of directions and is quite agile.
Ariel Borja currently has a slightly inconsistent technique with a lot of potential to become cleaner and more consistent on the ball. The midfielder can be a bit sloppy on the ball, not having a clean first touch or losing the ball in dangerous areas. The ball can sometimes bounce off his feet on his first touch. He can sometimes struggle in tight and congested areas. Borja has decent first-touch passing. He has decent vision, regularly spotting runners in behind and playing a good over-the-top through pass. Borja is capable of switching play too, displaying good long passing technique.
The midfielder is a box-to-box midfielder. He occasionally drops deep to receive the ball in first-phase possession, but can also make runs behind the opponent’s defensive line. Borja recognizes the moments when the opponent’s left- or right-back leaves open a gap as they’re following Liga’s winger. Defensively, he also covers the left-back position when the left-back is out of position, for example. I think Ariel Borja’s ball-carrying could become one of his greatest strengths. He has good acceleration on the ball and seems to step with a lot of power and intent. If his technique becomes a bit more consistent, he could also be a lot cleaner under pressure. I think this is only a matter of time. His ball-striking from distance is also good, also being capable of scoring from free-kicks.
I think Ariel Borja could become an important player for Liga de Quito’s first-team in the future. However, he should not be playing for Liga de Quito U-19 again next season. A (loan) move to a club like Orense SC could be good for Borja. Ariel Borja has the potential to play in the Brazilian Serie A, but it remains to be seen whether he can live up to his potential all things considered.
Juan Rodriguez is a 17-year-old defensive midfielder who plays for Liga de Quito U-17. The Ecuadorian midfielder also played in the U-17 Sudamericano and U-17 World Cup for Ecuador U-17.
Rodriguez stands at around 1.85m with an athletic build. He is physically dominant in defensive duels. Rodriguez displays good juming reach, good strength and decent timing in aerial duels, winning most of them. He has good acceleration and speed. Rodriguez looks mobile and flexible. He has good stamina and endurance.
Operating as the defensive midfielder in a possession-based style, Rodriguez often acts as the playmaker of the team. He moves between the lines well and displays good spatial awareness, always understanding where the space is and where his opponents are. He has good passing technique over short and long distances. His long passing is still inconsistent, though. Rodriguez is capable of playing good, line-breaking passes. He can also dribble past his opponent in first-phase possession. Rodriguez rarely loses control over the ball. The Ecuadorian midfielder occasionally has the tendency to take too long on the ball and his pass selection can be better. Rodriguez likes to passively carry the ball forward before releasing a long pass. He has the potential to become a more aggressive and commanding ball-carrier.
Defensively, the midfielder is aggressive in duels with his back towards the goal and uses his physique to push opponents off the ball. He sometimes loses the duel against opponents who use their body smartly and efficiently. His timing in defensive transitioning is quite inconsistent, needing to give away fouls. Rodriguez can have the tendency to leave gaps in midfield and he loses 1v1 duels against opponents with good ball manipulation. During the times the opponents have sustained possession on Liga de Quito’s half, Rodriguez displays better discipline defensively. He does well to stay in position and blocks passes and wins defensive 1v1 duels more regularly. His long legs also help intercepting the ball.
My expectation for 2024 is that Juan Rodriguez will become a regular starter for Liga de Quito U-19. Liga de Quito have a great youth academy but they are not doing well at giving players like Rodriguez a chance in the first team. Juan Rodriguez does not have the level to start regularly, but it would have been better for him to be a regular starter at U-19 level this year already. I feel like they are not optimally developing their youngsters this way. Juan Rodriguez has the potential to move to Europe in a few years time.
Yorddy Chonillo was the vice-captain (after Lerma) this season for league title winners Independiente del Valle U-15. The left-back also was a starter for Independiente del Valle U-15 in the Next Generation Trophy. He also made two appearances for Independiente del Valle U-17.
Standing at around (I think) 1.68m-1.73m with a slim build, Yorddy Chonillo is a bit underdeveloped physically at the moment. The left-back gets shrugged off easily in shoulder-to-shoulder duels. He also has below-average jumping reach in aerial duels. However, Chonillo’s burst of speed and speed over longer distances seems to have improved over the last months. He is seemingly working on his physique, too. Chonillo has good stamina and seems to be getting stronger every month. His low centre of gravity allows him to turn quickly and stay close to the ground.
The Ecuadorian youngster is comfortable on the ball. He has smart movement in first-phase possession and seems to be intelligent tactically. Chonillo’s capable of taking up an inverted role in first-phase possession and likes to play one-touch football. Chonillo is pretty two-footed and has very good technique. His passing is very clean with both feet and he has decent close control in small spaces. However, his lack of physique can sometimes get him into trouble under pressure. He is comfortable taking on opponents in both first-phase possession and in the final third. In the final third, he prefers to dribble past his opponent on the outside, displaying a nice burst of speed and quick changes of directions. Chonillo has good vision in the final third, putting in some nice cut-backs over the ground. However, his crossing needs to be improved in the upcoming months.
Defensively, his lack of physique becomes apparent quickly. He recently has been more aggressive in defensive duels, slightly compensating for his lack of physique. The positive sides of his aggressive defending is that he is always on the front foot and that he can get in front of his opponent quickly, intercepting passes and allowing Independiente del Valle U-15 to counter-attack. However, the downside to his aggressive defending is that he can overcommit in defensive 1v1 duels and can get dribbled past easily. Chonillo has good recovery speed but sometimes struggles against quick, agile wingers. Even though he has good stamina, it can sporadically happen that he is not that active in transitioning from attacking to defending.
My expectation for 2024 is that Yorddy Chonillo will conquer a place in the starting line-up for Independiente del Valle U-17. He is now too old to play for the U-15’s. He needs to work on his physique, but his technical and tactical profile are very interesting. It remains to be seen how his physique will develop, but if he can work on that he could become a good player in Europe.
Rooney Troya is a 17-year-old midfielder who plays for Universidad Católica. The Ecuadorian youngster mainly played for the U-19’s this season, but he also featured for the U-17’s and made his debut for the first team of Universidad Católica. The midfielder was also a rotational player for Ecuador U-17 during the U-17 Sudamericano and U-17 World Cup. Universidad Católica U-19 got knocked out in the semi-finals for the league title. I am mainly basing my opinion about Rooney Troya in 2023 on his performances for Ecuador U-17.
The central midfielder stands at around 1.70m with an average build. He has a low centre of gravity, allowing him to turn quickly and change directions quickly. Troya has a good burst of speed and also generates decent speed over long distances. He does not have a very strong physical appearance, but battles really well in defensive duels which compensates slightly for his lack of physique. He also battles very well in aerial duels but still loses most of them despite having good timing. He has good stamina.
Rooney Troya mainly operates as one of the two holding midfielders in a 4-2-3-1. He mostly plays between the lines in first-phase possession with the other holding midfielder operating as a third central defender. Troya has decent movement in first-phase possession. He has a good first touch under pressure and has a very clean short passing technique. Troya does not make many mistakes with his short passing but can sporadically be a bit sloppy on the ball. The Ecuadorian midfielder has a decent long passing technique but the execution of his long passes is quite inconsistent. He can also turn away sharply from his opponent in first-phase possession. Rooney Troya, playing higher up the pitch, can pose a threat for the opponent with his well-timed runs in behind.
I think Troya will end up as a box-to-box midfielder, putting his good stamina, well-timed runs in behind and aggressive defending to a good use. The midfielder is often in the right place at the right time defensively, intercepting passes in the defensive third and displaying good defensive discipline to stay in position. Troya is a very aggressive presser and uses his body efficiently, managing to intercept the ball despite not having the strongest physical appearance.
My expectation for 2024 is that Rooney Troya will be a squad player for the first team of Universidad Católica, although I do not think that he has the level to be a starter or rotational player yet. Isaac Sánchez has a much higher ceiling. Troya has an average physical profile and does not really compensate this with technical excellence or tactical intelligence. I think he has the potential to play in the Brazilian Serie A.
Keny Arroyo is a 17-year-old winger and midfielder who plays for Independiente del Valle. He has played for the U-17’s, U-19’s and even made his first-team debut for Independiente del Valle in 2023. Arroyo also played at the U-17 Sudamericano and U-17 World Cup. I wrote a scout report about Keny Arroyo in 2022.
He stands at around 1.75m – 1.80m with an average build. Arroyo holds his own in physical battles, being at a decent physical level. Keny Arroyo has a very good burst and also has decent speed over longer distances. He moves very fluidly and is naturally athletic. He can change directions very quickly and is agile. Arroyo is not very strong in aerial duels.
The midfielder has experience playing in a midfield three as the most advanced midfielder but also as a right- and left-winger. Keny Arroyo, like Kendry Páez, prefers to operate in the right half-space and this is also where he is most dangerous. He has excellent close control in tight areas, often having the ball on a string and looking strong on the ball. His quick changes of directions and burst of speed help him to create separation from his opponent in attacking 1v1s. Arroyo is very effective in attacking 1v1s. He has good passing technique over both short and longer distances, displaying his extensive passing range and having a wide range of passing techniques in his locker. Arroyo likes to play quick and short combinations to progress into the opponent’s box. He is also capable of putting in dangerous inswinging crosses from deeper areas, preferably from the right wing.
Keny Arroyo’s tactical intelligence and vision are key elements to his game. Even though he is very effective in attacking 1v1s, Keny Arroyo also creates plenty of chances for his teammates, displaying his creativity and vision to spot runners in behind. Arroyo also is a dangerous set-piece taker, even scoring free-kicks and putting in dangerous crosses from set-pieces. The young Ecuadorian can have lapses of concentration occasionally and was reportedly benched in the U-17 World Cup for disciplinary issues (but this is not confirmed). He has the tendency to sporadically make his actions too complicated, but his high-risk high-value playing style can also be very rewarding if he is playing well.
My expectation for 2024 is that Keny Arroyo becomes a squad player for the first team of Independiente del Valle. He is too good to play at U-19 level already at the age of 17. I would not be surprised if a big club signs Keny Arroyo in the summer of 2024, although it remains unknown for me if he has good or bad mentality. This will be a key factor to determine whether he’d be a good or bad signing for big clubs. Keny Arroyo has the potential to play for Champions League clubs in the top 5 leagues, I think he is in the same segment of talents like David Martinez.
Justin Lerma is a 15-year-old versatile midfielder who plays for Independiente del Valle U-17. The midfielder also played for Independiente del Valle U-15 in the league, being the most important player in their league title win. Lerma also featured in the Next Generation Trophy (U-16), being one of the best, if not the best, players in the tournament. I previously wrote a scout report about Lerma.
He stands at around 1.80m with an athletic build. Lerma is one of the fastest players I’ve ever seen at youth level. He has explosive acceleration and great speed over long distances. His changes of speed and direction are sublime. Lerma avoids tackles and challenges very well, displaying his good athleticism and balance. He is also quite strong on the ball and has excellent stamina.
Justin Lerma loves to take on his opponents, especially against similar-aged players. He is a bit more passive at U-17 level but still displayed his excellent ball-carrying ability there. Lerma’s explosive speed helps him to get past his opponents, but he is much more than just speed. Lerma has great ball control and footwork in tight spaces and uses his quick feints to successfully take on multiple opponents at once. He likes to take away the ball from the opponent with the outside of his right foot before bursting away from his opponent. The midfielder combines his outstanding dribbling and ball-carrying ability with good decision-making and vision. Lerma has an excellent positional sense, always moving into space. He knows when to recycle possession and when to take on opponents. His passing over short and long distances is very solid and secure. Lerma is often looking for short and quick combinations down the middle, being able to progress the ball from the halfway line to the box within seconds. Lerma needs to use his left foot more and could crash into the box more often, operating as the most advanced midfielder. His left foot is decent, but he just refuses to use it often. His ball-striking from close and long range is excellent.
Defensively, Lerma is often allowed to stay forward at U-15 level but he has shown more defensive discipline playing for the U-17s. His explosive speed helps him to close down his opponent aggressively. Lerma also reads his opponents well and has good anticipation in the final third to pick up loose balls. He cuts passing lanes pretty well.
My expectation for 2024 is that he will make his debut for the first team of Independiente del Valle in the second half of the season. At the age of 15, he could still end up as a central midfielder and as a winger but I would like to see him being trained as a box-to-box midfielder. It is possible that Chelsea or CFG will already sign him in 2024, similar to Kendry Páez’s transfer. Justin Lerma has the potential to become a world-class player.
isaac Sánchez is a 17-year-old right-winger who plays for Universidad Católica U-19. He also featured for the U-17’s and made his first-team debut in the second stage of the season. Isaac Sánchez also was part of Ecuador U-17’s squad at the Sudamericano U-17 and U-17 World Cup. He was a rotational player in both tournaments. Sánchez scored 6 goals in 18 matches for Universidad Católica, who lost the semi-finals of the league to Vargas Torres. He did not play in the semi-finals and his teammates were holding his shirt, but it is unknown whether he is injured or something else happened.
He is quite a tall winger standing at around 1.80m – 1.85m with a pretty slim build. Sánchez displays a good burst of speed and is quick over longer distances. Despite being quite tall, Sánchez changes directions very quickly and he is capable of making sharp and quick turns. His footwork is outstanding. The attacker uses his body well to protect the ball at youth level but struggled physically at senior level. He has decent stamina.
Isaac Sánchez is very technically gifted. The winger has great ability in tight spaces, displaying good close control and composure on the ball whilst dribbling. His footwork, good burst of speed and close control allow him to stay in possession and get away from his marker. The winger has good passing technique over short and long distances, being comfortable playing one-touch football in tight spaces. He has good vision, too. Sánchez is capable of playing nice through passes.
The winger generally has good decision-making in the final third but could be more dangerous if he starts making more runs in behind. His timing is good, but he does not always use the available space optimally. He prefers to come short and receive the ball at his feet. Playing on the right wing, he likes to dribble past his opponent on the outside and put in a cross, but he is far from a one-dimensional player. His crossing ability is pretty inconsistent but he has a decent crossing technique. His finishing is also quite inconsistent but he strikes the ball well.
My expectation for 2024 is that Isaac Sánchez gets a few appearances for the first team of Universidad Católica but he will mainly be playing in the U-19’s. The winger seemed quite nervous playing in the first team but should be integrated into the first team slowly, just like Erick Zambrano at Orense SC. As mentioned, it is unknown (to me) whether he has picked up a severe injury. He should work on his consistency and play with more bravery and flair in the first team when he gets given another chance. Sánchez could also end up as a left-winger.
Elkin Perez is an 18-year-old defensive midfielder who plays for Liga de Quito U-19. He is their captain and played almost every match for the U-19’s this season, but can count on a lot of competition from other talented defensive midfielders at Liga de Quito. I’ve watched the midfielder a couple of times this season but have not written about Elkin Perez yet. Liga de Quito U-19 had a disappointing season, missing out on a place in the semi-finals of the league after finishing fifth in the regular season.
The Ecuadorian youngster is not the tallest midfielder, standing at around 1.68m – 1.73m. However, he has quite a firm and strong build. Perez is quite strong in shoulder-to-shoulder duels and physical ground duels. Elkin Perez has an okay physical and athletic profile but does not stand out. He displays decent speed over short and long distances. Perez is capable of changing directions quite quickly and can turn sharply. He sometimes struggles in aerial duels because of his small height, making him a vulnerable target for long balls. His footwork can be improved.
The midfielder has pretty good technique. Elkin Perez sporadically has a sloppy and bouncy first touch under pressure, mainly because of his average footwork, However, his passing technique over short and medium-long distances is very clean. He is capable of playing strong line-breaking passes into the attack. Elkin Perez is quite composed under pressure, being capable of turning away from his marker and evading pressure well. He is capable of playing one-touch passes. Perez is a decent ball-carrier, looking strong on the ball and shielding the ball very well. He has good vision, too. Perez often spots runners in behind and can find them with some very nice over-the-top through passes.
Defensively, the Ecuadorian midfielder looks very strong. Elkin Perez reads the game well, positioning himself very well in transition from attacking to defending, allowing him to intercept passes and recover possession. Perez manages to cut passing lanes around the box well, although he occasionally gets dragged out wide. However, in these situations, he often also manages to win back the ball. He is a strong defender in midfield, recovering possession very often. Perez is strong in defensive 1v1s.
My expectation for 2024 is that Elkin Perez will be playing another full season for Liga de Quito U-19, but I hope that he leaves Liga de Quito as he is ready to play senior football. With the presence of Piovi, Zambrano and even Juan Rodriguez in the U-17’s, it is likely that he will not get any chances in the first team. My ideal move for Elkin Perez would be Orense SC, who are known for giving young players a chance. I think he has the potential to play in Denmark or Ukraine.
Deinner Ordoñez is a 14-year-old central defender who plays for Independiente del Valle U-15. The Ecuadorian also made his debut for Independiente del Valle U-17 in the semi-final of the league. Ordoñez also featured for Independiente del Valle U-15 in the Next Generation Trophy.
The defender stands at around 1.90m with an average build. Ordoñez has excellent speed over short and longer distances. He is a very mobile defender, being able to turn his body quickly and looking agile and flexible. Ordoñez is very strong in defensive duels, bullying opponents off the ball and stepping up with assertiveness and force. He has very good jumping reach and timing in aerial duels.
Playing at Independiente del Valle, Deinner Ordoñez often receives the ball in first-phase possession. The central defender likes to step into midfield aggressively. Ordoñez has the potential to become a really good ball-carrier, having good close control, good speed and great physical strength. He is two-footed, too. Ordoñez displays good vision in first-phase build-up, being capable of playing good line-breaking passes. His passing technique is very smooth but he can be too casual at times, playing some sloppy passes into midfield. Ordoñez is very composed under pressure but can also make no-nonsense clearances when necessary. The defender has a very extensive passing range. With his aerial ability, he is also a real threat from set-pieces but his offensive heading can be worked on.
The defender has a clear physical advantage at U-15 level and needs to be playing at U-17 level. He is very good at defending crosses, displaying his good aerial ability and scanning well before the cross gets put in, adjusting his position accordingly. He is very strong in defensive 1v1 duels, using his good anticipation and long legs to intercept the ball and recover possession. Ordoñez is very strong in duels with his back towards the goal and in shoulder-to-shoulder duels. He steps up with force and has good timing. His main room for improvement is his rashness occasionally. He can be too aggressive and make questionable decisions sporadically. However, as time goes on and as he gains more experience, he will definitely improve in these situations.
My expectation for 2024 is that Deinner Ordoñez becomes a regular starter at U-17 level. He could potentially make his U-19 debut in the second half of the season. The central defender has an excellent physical profile, a very good and promising technical base and a decent tactical understanding. It will be interesting to see how Deinner Ordoñez develops in the upcoming years but I think Independiente del Valle have a world-class talent on their hands.
Anthony Montezuma is a 17-year-old winger and wing-back for Independiente del Valle U-17. Montezuma has also played as a wing-back for the U-18’s in the Copa Tango MDM, which Independiente del Valle U-18 managed to win. Independiente del Valle U-17 lost the semi-finals of the league against Barcelona SC U-17 after penalties. I previously wrote a scout report about Anthony Montezuma in August 2023 and have watched Montezuma a few times after that moment.
Standing at around 1.70m-1.75m with muscular legs and a strong upper body, Montezuma generates a lot of power from his legs. He is quick over short distances and very quick over long distances, especially in straight lines. Montezuma generates good power in physical duels, always holding his own despite not being the tallest player. He doesn’t win many aerial duels but displays good bravery and determination nonetheless. The Ecuadorian displays decent changes of directions and good agility but can struggle to get past his opponent from a standstill.
The Ecuadorian has played as both a right-winger and right wing-back before, but I like him more as a wing-back in Independiente del Valle’s attacking system. He is a smart player in possession, displaying good body manipulation to create extra time for himself and getting into the right positions. Montezuma has a good technique; he has a good first touch and is comfortable playing one-touch football. He currently isn’t always very effective in attacking 1v1s but has the characteristics of becoming more effective in 1v1s (good acceleration, decent changes of directions, good close control and good footwork). His finishing can be uncontrolled at times but it’s generally good, scoring many goals this season.
As a wing-back, he needs to be tested more defensively but he showed some good early signs after being converted to a wing-back in Independiente del Valle U-18’s 3-4-2-1. He covered runs in behind pretty well, also cutting passing lanes and intercepting passes. Montezuma is positively aggressive in duels but has the tendency to give away fouls. He seems to be a very dedicated, hard-working player.
My expectations for 2024 is that Anthony Montezuma will become a regular starter for Independiente del Valle U-19, although he will face competition from Gerald Mora and maybe Erick Cabal. I think Anthony Montezuma, especially with his determination, can become a very good wing-back in the future. I thought he deserved to be in the U-17 World Cup. As mentioned in my scout report, Montezuma has in my opinion the potential to play as a wing-back for a club that battles for European football in Portugal or Belgium.
Leonel Realpe is a 15-year-old right-back who plays for Independiente del Valle. The Ecuadorian U-15 youth international has played a full season for Independiente del Valle U-15. He also featured at the Next Generation Trophy. I wrote a summary of his performance in Austria on the Target Scouting website, as he was one of the standout performers. I watched him in the domestic league a couple of times after.
Standing at around 1.64m – 1.69m with an average build, Leonel Realpe is a relatively small right-back. However, Realpe has an excellent burst of speed and also displays good speed over long distances. The young Ecuadorian is incredibly athletic and has a low centre of gravity, allowing him to change directions very quickly. He is also very agile and displays good footwork. He has good stamina as he keeps running up and down the pitch for 90 minutes long.
The right-back of Independiente del Valle U-15 likes to take up an inverted position in first-phase possession, aiming to create space for the technically gifted Quintero brothers to receive the ball in space close to the touchline. Leonel Realpe also creates plenty of space for others in the final third by making under- and overlapping runs, stretching the opponent’s defence. Realpe has poor crossing ability but his cut-backs are decent. If he does receive the ball in first-phase possession, Realpe seemingly understands where his teammates and opponents are, taking a progressive touch when possible and carrying the ball forward aggressively. Realpe opts to play a first-time backwards pass when there is no space. The right-back is a great ball-carrier and dribbler, being very efficient in attacking 1v1s due to his very good burst, close control and changes of directions. He avoids challenges well. Realpe likes to play one-two’s to progress play in other situations. He has a very good short and long passing technique, also occasionally spotting the attacker’s runs in behind and delivering a good through pass.
Leonel Realpe is a very aggressive defender, defending like a pitbull and always wanting to intercept the ball as quickly as possible. The positive side to this is that he can regain possession quickly using his decent tackling ability and aggressiveness. The downside is that he can be quite rash, stepping up when he needs to stay in the line and going in for a slide tackle when he needs to stay on his feet. Realpe’s timing is average at times, too. He is very assertive in 50/50 duels.
My expectation for 2024 is that Leonel Realpe becomes a regular starter for Independiente del Valle U-17. Realpe will become a good wing-back in South America but I doubt he could become an interesting player for European teams. He needs to be more composed defensively and improve his attacking output in the final third. Realpe has the potential to reach Independiente del Valle’s first team in 3-4 years and he could make a transfer to a Brazilian Serie A in the future.
Riquelme Angulo is a 15-year-old striker who plays for Independiente del Valle. Angulo is Tin Angulo’s younger brother. Riquelme Angulo mainly played for Independiente del Valle U-15 but also scored 4 in 5 for Independiente del Valle U-17. He has already scored over 80 goals in two full seasons for Independiente del Valle’s youth academy. It is unknown (to me) why he did not play much in 2022. Angulo won the league title with Independiente del Valle U-15.
Standing at around 1.95m with a slim build, Riquelme Angulo is extremely tall for his age. The young Ecuadorian is very athletic and mobile, especially for his frame. He has a good burst of speed, whilst also displaying very good speed over long distances. He turns relatively quickly and displays decent agility. Angulo had inconsistent footwork early in 2023 but improved a lot this year. He could improve his physical strength and needs to use his body more efficiently in the duels. Angulo is very dominant in aerial duels due to his height and timing.
He has a decent technical profile, too. Riquelme Angulo can occasionally struggle to remain in possession whilst leaning backwards into his opponent. He generally has a decent first touch under pressure. Angulo’s wall passes are a bit inconsistent but he likes to engage in Independiente del Valle’s possession play. The striker displays decent close control in small spaces. He can sometimes overestimate his pace while dribbling, running the ball out of play but creating separation easily. Angulo has decent vision, often knowing where his teammates are and finding them with nice (often one-touch) passes. He is very one-footed though, almost only using his right foot and refusing to use his left foot often. Angulo gets into scoring position easily, especially in the box where he has a physical advantage against his opponents. His finishing is quite inconsistent, sometimes not striking the ball optimally or being a bit uncontrolled in 1v1s.
The striker finds space in the box well and has improved his runs a lot this year. While he was often found in an offside position in the Next Generation Trophy, he made a lot more effective runs in the league title finals against Orense and Barcelona SC. Angulo prefers to make runs between the left-back and left central defender of the opponent. Defensively, he is a very active presser and works incredibly hard to track back. However, sometimes he can track back all the way to central defence which is not optimal. It shows his mentality though.
My expectation for 2024 is that Riquelme Angulo will be a starter for Independiente del Valle U-17. However, with his physical profile, I think he will become a regular starter for Independiente del Valle U-19 sooner rather than later. He has an extremely interesting profile and has the potential to play for good clubs in the big European competitions if he stays on the right track.
Jairo Reyes is a 17-year-old midfielder who plays for Independiente del Valle. The defensive midfielder mainly played for Independiente del Valle U-19, but also played some matches in the U-17’s. Reyes made his first-team debut for Independiente del Valle in the last match of the regular season. He also featured for Ecuador U-17 in the U-17 Sudamericano and U-17 World Cup. I previously wrote a scout report about him in 2022.
Standing at 1.77m with an average build, Jairo Reyes has a good build for a defensive midfielder. Reyes has a very good physique, displaying good strength on the ball and in defensive duels. The Ecuadorian youngster has a decent burst of speed and good speed over long distances. He is a mobile midfielder, being able to use quick feints and changing directions quickly. Reyes has good jumping reach in aerial duels.
Reyes has either played as a single defensive midfielder or as one of the two holding midfielders. The Ecuadorian midfielder is effective in first-phase possession. Jairo Reyes has the vision and technique to progress play through line-breaking passes, whilst also being capable of taking on and dribbling past opponents. He likes to use quick feints to avoid pressure and takes the ball away from pressure quite well. Reyes has a very good and consistent first touch under pressure. He seemingly always knows where his teammates and opponents are, playing good one-touch passes in midfield and often making the right decision. Reyes has a very nice long passing technique, being capable of switching play but also finding runners in behind with great over-the-top through passes. He also is a good ball-carrier, using his speed, strength and good close control to hold off opponents and create separation.
Defensively, Jairo Reyes can be vulnerable in defensive 1v1 duels when an opponent runs at him as he is too flat-footed which makes him look slow. Reyes cuts passing lanes in midfield well, using his tactical intelligence to be in the right position at the right times. Due to Independiente del Valle tactics, he can get dragged out wide out of possession but this wasn’t the case for Ecuador U-17. Reyes has great power in defensive duels, winning almost every important duel in midfield.
My expectation for 2024 is that he either becomes a regular squad member for Independiente del Valle’s first team or he gets signed by a European club. Jairo Reyes would be a good long-term signing for clubs like Club Brugge, RSC Anderlecht and KRC Genk. I think Reyes should be retrained to a box-to-box midfielder as he has the attributes to become a really good box-to-box midfielder.
Michael Bermúdez is a 17-year-old striker who plays for Liga de Quito. He predominantly played for Liga de Quito U-19, but also played some matches for the U-17’s. He won the league title with Liga de Quito U-17. Bermúdez was also Ecuador’s top goal scorer at the U-17 Sudamericano and U-17 World Cup.
Standing at around 1.76m with a very slim build, Michael Bermúdez is slightly physically underdeveloped. The Ecuadorian striker uses his body efficiently in physical duels but still needs to bulk up. Bermúdez has exceptional speed over short distances and is also quick over long distances. He is agile and turns really quickly thanks to his low centre of gravity and balance. He has inconsistent timing in aerial duels but his jumping reach is good.
Michael Bermúdez has experience playing as a winger, second striker and striker, but I prefer him as a striker. The striker has a good first touch, controlling the ball really well even if he is being put under pressure. Bermúdez sporadically turns the wrong way. He is comfortable playing one-touch football in small spaces and likes to play quick, short combinations. Bermúdez’s long passing can be more consistent even though he displays good technique. He is a right-footed striker and has a functional left foot. The striker is at his best making runs in behind and finding space in the box. His finishing at the U-17 World Cup was average, but he generally has good finishing ability. The fact he gets into scoring position so easily tells a lot about Bermúdez’s off-the-ball movement. His ball-carrying is decent and his 1v1 dribbling ability is good, displaying a very good burst and using quick feints to put the opponent on the wrong foot. Bermúdez displays great composure in the final third, often making the right decision. His ball-striking from range is very good. He could improve his heading ability.
Leading the line for Ecuador U-17 and Liga de Quito, Bermúdez displays decent pressing ability, also using his explosive acceleration to close down gaps and opponents quickly. Being the captain of Ecuador U-17, it displays Bermúdez’s leadership skills and mental ability.
My expectation for 2024 is that Michael Bermúdez makes his first-team debut for Liga de Quito, although I am very curious to see how he holds his own physically against senior-level opponents. I’m getting more and more concerned about his physical ability. However, he has an excellent technical, tactical and mental profile, still making him an interesting target for many clubs in Belgium but also the MLS and Brazil. I still think Michael Bermúdez has the potential to play for decent-level teams in the top 5 leagues, but he needs to work a lot on his physical ability if he wants to fulfill his potential.
Jhon Acurio is a 16-year-old striker who plays for Barcelona SC. He mainly played for Barcelona SC U-19, but also played regularly for the U-17’s whilst also making his debut for the first team of Barcelona SC. Acurio scored 9 goals in 10 matches for the U-17’s and 7 goals in 12 matches for the U-19’s. He was also part of Ecuador U-17 at the U-17 Sudamericano, but did not make the World Cup squad because of disciplinary issues to which he responded with a cryptic Instagram message.
Standing at around 1.78m with a firm build, Jhon Acurio has a very strong frame for a striker. Acurio has great speed over long distances, whilst also displaying excellent bursts of speed. He is capable of accelerating and deaccelerating on the ball, making it difficult for his opponents to defend him. Acurio uses his body very efficiently in shoulder-to-shoulder duels, holding off his opponents and being capable of pushing opponents off the ball. The young Ecuadorian changes directions quickly and is very mobile.
His technical and tactical profile is very interesting, too. Jhon Acurio displays good ball-striking with both feet, although his left foot is slightly worse than his stronger right foot. He can be an inconsistent finisher at times but displays excellent off-the-ball movement to get into scoring position easily. He finds space out wide well with well-timed runs but can also make runs in between both central defenders. Acurio has a good first touch. He displays good close control while dribbling, also using his good changes of speed to get past opponents. His long passing is also good, managing to switch play well under pressure. Acurio leads the line well, coaching his teammates when to put pressure. He also tracks back well in transition now and then.
Until now, everything in this report has been nothing but praise for Jhon Acurio. However, his mental/psychological profile is extremely poor. In every match that I watched of Jhon Acurio, he has been frustrated towards teammates, referees and even fans. He consistently complains and looks very aggressive towards the opponents after he lost a match. Acurio also got sent off in the final of the league against Barcelona when they were 5-0 down.
My expectation for 2024 is that Jhon Acurio continues to play for the U-19’s while still making the matchday squad for the first team. He is one of Ecuador’s biggest natural talents, but his lack of mentality and strange behaviour are signs that he will not fulfill his potential. At the age of only 16, there is plenty of time for Acurio to realize that his natural talent only will not bring him to Champions League teams. If he does realize this, he still has the potential to become a very good striker in a big European league. However, I don’t think he will fulfill his potential.
Elkin Ruiz is a 17-year-old left-back who plays for Independiente del Valle. The left-back had a busy year, participating in the U-20 Copa Libertadores, U-17 Sudamericano and U-17 World Cup. Elkin Ruiz mainly played his domestic football for Independiente del Valle U-19. He made his first-team debut in the last match of the season. I have been watching Elkin Ruiz for almost two years now but I am yet to write a scout report about him.
The left-back stands at around 1.68 meters with an average build. Despite being a small player, Ruiz is strong in ground and aerial duels due to his leg strength. He generates much power from his legs, displaying excellent jumping reach and timing in aerial duels to help him win most duels. The left-back holds his own in physical duels and can protect the ball well. Elkin Ruiz has a good burst of speed and is quick over longer distances. He has a low centre of gravity, allowing him to turn quickly and stay close to the ground.
Elkin Ruiz, like many of Independiente del Valle’s youth academy players, has good technique. The Ecuadorian left-back is comfortable receiving under pressure, displaying a good first touch and being capable of playing one-touch passes. He displays nice ball control in tight areas, keeping the ball close to him and playing with a lot of confidence. Ruiz is very secure on the ball, displaying good short and long passing technique. His long passing can be slightly inconsistent at times. The left-back is comfortable playing in both an inverted- and wide role, mostly making overlapping runs but not being very dangerous with his crossing, especially in the U-17 World Cup where his crossing was poor. Ruiz’s cut-backs are a lot better, spotting an attacker in space and delivering a good cut-back. He likes to carry the ball into midfield, which he does very well.
Elkin Ruiz has experience playing as both a wide central defender, a left-back and a left wing-back (and even as a winger against Brazil U-17). The defender often aggressively presses his opponent, forcing him backwards or intercepting the ball. His timing is good and he is very persistent in defensive duels. Ruiz is a very capable defender in 1v1 duels, changing directions and reacting quickly. He blocks passes well due to his athleticism and displays good bravery in aerial duels.
My expectation for 2024 is that Elkin Ruiz becomes a regular starter for Independiente Juniors in the Serie B. Even though he is ready to become a first-team squad player, there is too much competition at the moment from Caicedo, Cortez and Medina. Elkin Ruiz is a very talented player, although he must improve his crossing if he wants to increase his attacking output as a left-back. He has the potential to make a transfer to Europe in the future.
Holger Quintero is a 14-year-old attacking midfielder who plays for Independiente del Valle. He featured mostly in Independiente del Valle’s U-15 team, but also played for the U-14 in the Conmebol Evolucion and the U-15/16 in the Next Generation Trophy. Quintero was one of the important players who helped Independiente del Valle U-15 win the league title this season.
He stands at 1.71m with a slim build. Quintero is expected to grow a few centimetres, as he has only recently turned 14. The midfielder has an impressive acceleration on the ball and is capable of maintaining that speed over longer distances. He is capable of gliding past opponents, avoiding challenges and tackles whilst maintaining his balance. Quintero changes directions quickly and has a very smooth running style. He is quite strong on the ball. The midfielder always plays with a high intensity and battles well defensively.
Holger Quintero is one of the few technically gifted players in Independiente del Valle’s youth academy. He plays with a high intensity following the pass and move principle. Quintero is almost consistently on the move playing one-touch football. His technical excellence alongside his tactical intelligence makes him a joy to watch. He consistently roams around the pitch, trying to get on the ball and dictate play. Quintero has a very nice passing technique over short and long distances. He has a wide range of passing techniques he is capable of using.
The Ecuadorian midfielder is very effective in first-phase possession, too. He has the vision and technique to progress the ball up the pitch through line-breaking passes, whilst also being capable of taking on his opponent using his excellent burst and close control. He has an excellent first touch and rarely gets a first touch wrong. Quintero sporadically has the tendency to overestimate his own dribbling ability and run into congested areas. He has good finishing ability from close range but his ball-striking from long range is slightly inconsistent. Quintero sometimes overlaps on the right when his twin brother Edwin Quintero has tucked inside. He is quite efficient with these runs, displaying good crossing ability to find players like Gabriel Porozo or Riquelme Angulo.
My expectation for 2024 is that Holger Quintero will become a regular starter for Independiente del Valle U-17. I can see him making his debut for Independiente del Valle U-19 in the late stages of the second stage, too. He is an exceptional talent and it is even more remarkable that his twin brother Edwin Quintero also is a world-class talent. Holger Quintero breathes football and has the potential to become a world-class player. However, he will always face competition from Kendry Páez, Edwin Quintero, Keny Arroyo and even Justin Lerma for a place in Ecuador’s starting line-up.
Jesus Polo is a 16-year-old right-back who plays for Liga de Quito U-17. The young Ecuadorian was a regular starter for Liga de Quito U-17 this season and won the league title with the U-17’s after beating Barcelona SC. The young right-back was also involved with Ecuador U-17 at the U-17 Sudamericano and U-17 World Cup. I have not written about Jesus Polo for Target Scouting yet.
The right-back stands at around 1.70m with a slim build. Jesus Polo is slightly underdeveloped physically, potentially struggling against older/senior opponents. Jesus Polo has a decent burst of speed and has decent speed over long distances. He has good changes of directions and displays decent agility. Polo displays good stamina, capable of running up and down the pitch for 90 minutes and playing with a very high intensity.
Jesus Polo has a decent technical profile but does not stand out in this aspect. The right-back can lose his composure under pressure and go for a long pass instead of trying to find a passing option nearby. Polo has a decent short passing technique, not making many mistakes with his short passing. His long passing technique is good. Polo likes to switch play and does this very well. The Ecuadorian right-back’s ball-carrying lacks quality, as his close control and strength on the ball are not great. He makes some good overlapping runs occasionally, displaying decent crossing ability but sometimes being wasteful with his crosses.
Defensively, Jesus Polo is an aggressive right-back who gives his all in every duel. The downside to his aggressiveness is that this can lead to rashness and naiveity. Polo’s timing in defensive 1v1 duels is often poor, whilst also going in for a slide tackle instead of staying on his feet. The Ecuadorian right-back should be more composed defensively but his lack of defensive vision could hinder him in his professional career. He also sometimes gives away needless fouls whilst also displaying a lack of strength in defensive duels. Polo should sometimes also be more narrow, leaving too much space between him and the right central defender. His clearances are sometimes pretty average, too.
My expectation for 2024 is that Jesus Polo becomes a regular starter for Liga de Quito U-19, even though he will occasionally struggle in this age group due to his lack of physicality and defensive ability. He has an average physical profile, a decent technical profile and an average tactical profile, making him not the most interesting player. I think Jesus Polo will struggle to reach Liga de Quito’s first team but he could have a decent career in Ecuador.
Target Scouting 