Moises Caicedo was back in action for his country last night as they got their preparation in for the upcoming Copa America.
His Ecuador side were defeated 1-0 by Argentina, with Enzo Fernandez returning to action for the first time since his surgery late last season.
Caicedo was joined on the pitch by Blues youngster Kendry Paez, who interestingly swapped shirts with Lionel Messi at the end of the game as his personal rise to stardom continued.
Because of the youthful look to some of the Ecuador senior side, the 22-year-old has been forced to step up and lead the side a bit more than perhaps many at his age normally would.
Ecuadorian media love Caicedo’s leadership
However, Ecuadorian site El Futbolero believe this is a trait he has been able to show well for the national side, and has certainly picked up some of this from his time in European football.
They went on to say that they were impressed when the Chelsea man stood up to fellow midfielder Rodrigo De Paul when the World Cup winner was looking to gain a few yards for a free kick.
The Blues man pushed his opposition before saying something in his ear when the referee had already intervened.
Caicedo crucial to Chelsea
Caicedo is in for a big Copa America this summer before he returns to Chelsea as a key player again at Stamford Bridge.
As the campaign went on last season, the midfielder showed his importance more and more to where he became the first name on the teamsheet.
One of the immediate tasks for new manager Enzo Maresca to solve is how to get the best out of both him and Fernandez in the middle of the park.
He may well be building his side without Conor Gallagher, with the England international still receiving plenty of interest from fellow Premier League sides.