Ecuador coach Gustavo Alfaro is concerned about Leonardo Campana after a difficult season at club level for the Wolverhampton Wanderers striker, as reported by TVI24.
It is never ideal when one of your most talented players arrives on international duty rustier than a bike left overnight in the winter rain.
20-year-old Campana is supposed to be a key part of this Ecuador team as qualification for the 2022 World Cup kicks off.
But, in all competitions, the gifted striker has played just six league games this season since leaving Wolves for a loan spell at Famalicao.
Furthermore, a serious hamstring strain means Campana has not made a Primeira Liga appearance for nearly three months. No wonder Alfaro, the man tasked with taking Ecuador to Qatar, feels rather concerned.
“I spoke with Campana and (Sporting Lisbon’s seldom-seen winger) Gonzalo Plata about the possibility of looking for a place to play. I advised them because the most important semester of the qualifiers and the Copa America is coming up,” Alfaro said.
“It is essential that everyone has game time and that they continue to make my decisions difficult.
“We need players at a competitive level, players who play at their clubs. You never play a game in training where points are up for grabs.”
Reading between the lines, is Alfaro encouraging Campana to leave Wolves permanently for a club where he would be guaranteed game-time?
Since moving to Molineux from Ecuadorian outfit Barcelona SC in January 2020, Campana has not played a single second of first-team football in Old Gold.
The youngster did at least get a couple of minutes under his belt as Alfaro’s side defeated Bolivia 2-1 on Monday.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
