Striker Ben Brereton, from English Sheffield United, was called up this Monday by the national team coach ChileanRicardo Gareca, on the list of substitutes for the friendlies against Albania and France.
Along with Brereton (aged 24), local club players Esteban Pavez from Colo Colo were also called up; Alexander Aravena, from the Catholic University, and Lucas Assadi, from the University of Chile.
Gareca had not mentioned Brereton in his first call-up on March 8, which attracted Chile’s attention. The striker, whose mother is Chilean, lived and developed his entire career in England, and does not speak Spanish.
“I would like (…) for him to learn Spanish, I think it’s important. He has been called up for two years (…) he has had enough time to speak Spanish. If there is really interest in being in the national team (…) because This has a lot to do with coexistence, with everyday life”, was Gareca’s justification.
⚽➡️🇨🇱 We have new recruits!@benbreoEsteban Pavez, Alexander Aravena and Lucas Assadi joined the circle of #LaRoja 🇨🇱 for friendlies against Albania 🇦🇱 and Francia 🇨🇵.#Somoslaroja pic.twitter.com/uAQeUDmwnJ
— Chilean National Team (@LaRoja) March 18, 2024
Brereton enters the squad in place of Colo Colo’s Carlos Palacios, who was sidelined with a sprain.
Esteban Pavez was called up in place of Flamengo’s injured Erick Pulgar, while Aravena replaces Diego Valdés, who fell ill after an América de México match, and Assadi will replace Javier Altamirano, who suffered convulsions on Sunday during the Mexico match. Estudiantes against Boca in the Argentine League Cup.
La Roja will play on Friday, the 22nd, against Albania, in Italy, and on Tuesday of the following week they will face France, in Marseille.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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