Erick Pulgar: Chile's young mediocentro

For about a decade, Chile has witnessed a golden generation of footballers representing the country and achieving historical results in the process. Some of these players have been together since the 2007 FIFA Under-20 World Cup and have been fundamental in La Roja winning consecutive Copa America titles in 2015 and 2016 as well as reaching the 2017 Confederations Cup Final.

With midfielders like Arturo Vidal and Charles Aránguiz being 32 and 30 years old respectively and the likes of Matías Fernández and Jorge Valdivia no longer a part of the Chilean squad, the next generation have their chance to prove their worth under Colombian-born coach Reinaldo Rueda. 

Defensive midfielder Erick Pulgar earned his first cap for Chile back in January 2015 but now he has become a mainstay in the national team under Rueda and he has also been one of his country’s best performers at the 2019 Copa America. 

A determined ball-winner as well as a competent user of the ball, the 25-year-old left his homeland at a young age, but he has slowly progressed into a key player for Italian club Bologna and for his national team.