There is a reason why Liverpool have been sniffing around the signing of Piero Hincapie. He’s versatile, left footed and whilst he may not have the stature of Virgil Van Dyke, he is commanding in the air and comfortable with the ball.
So today, as part of our one to watch series, we take a look at the Bayer Leverkusen defender ahead of tomorrow nights UEFA Europa League quarter final.
Piero Hincapié is an Ecuadorian professional footballer who primarily plays as a centre-back. Born on January 9, 2002, in Esmeraldas, Ecuador, he has emerged as one of the promising talents in South American football.
Early Career
Hincapié began his football journey in the youth ranks of Norte América. He then moved to Independiente del Valle, one of Ecuador’s top football academies. His development at Independiente del Valle was crucial, as the club is renowned for nurturing young talents and has a strong track record of producing professional players.
International Career
Piero Hincapié made his debut for the Ecuadorian national team in 2021 and quickly established himself as a key player. He has been capped multiple times and has participated in major tournaments, including the Copa América. His international performances, particularly at a young age, have highlighted his potential. Bayer’s recent success have made him one of the most recognisable Ecuadorian players on the international stage.
One to Watch: Liverpool transfer target Piero Hincapie
Playing Style
Hincapié is known for his strong defensive skills, including tackling, aerial ability, and positional awareness. He is also praised for his passing and ball-playing ability. The defender contributes to his team’s build-up play from the back. His physicality, combined with his technical skills, makes him a well-rounded defender. Hincapie modelled his game on legendary Spain centre-back pair Carlos Puyol and Sergio Ramos.
It should probably be pointed out that I could have chosen any number of Leverkusen defenders to highlight. They have assembled a formidable squad on their way to a certain Bundesliga triumph and Hincapie has played a major part.
Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes is delighted with the progress the Ecuadorian has made. “Piero was an investment in the future, back then he was a talented central defender with really big potential. He has shown his international quality in the Bundesliga, in European competition and the World Cup in Qatar. Piero is one of the key elements in the team who we can count on to help us achieve ambitious targets in the next few years.” High praise indeed.