Chelsea are reportedly monitoring the progress of an international ace during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with 20-year-old Ecuadorian Piero Hincapie at the top of the list. 

With the World Cup captivating fans across the globe, numerous rising stars emerge from the shadows, and Hincapie is one such precocious starlet to be inching closer to prominence. 

Reports claim that scouts have been sent to observe the Bayer Leverkusen centre-back, who has been instrumental across the first two matches of the tournament, claiming a clean sheet in the victory over hosts Qatar and helping his team to an emphatic draw against group favourites Netherlands. 

Hincapie, a left-sided defender, could be the perfect heir to Thiago Silva, who is still performing with aplomb despite perching in the twilight stage of his career at 38-years-old, with his deal with the West London giants set to conclude at the end of the current campaign. 

Indeed, Silva is approaching the end of an illustrious career capped with a monumental first Champions League triumph in his debut term with the Blues, but a football career is not eternal, and efforts must be made to replace the defensive leader.

Hincapie, the young titan, has indeed already been making considerable waves himself, attracting interest from a melange of top outfits across Europe. 

Previously described as “colossal” by Víctor Hernández Molina, the £34.5m-rated Hincapie could follow suit of a lengthy line of young talents who have plied their trade at Chelsea, nurturing their ability and emerging as formidable figures on the European stage.

In Qatar, as per Sofascore, the star has made 2.3 average tackles for his country, whilst also three clearances and 0.7 interceptions per outing; partner this with an assured ball-playing aura, he has maintained an 85% passing accuracy, and Chelsea might have a player who could slot sweetly into the system, despite his maiden footballing years. 

Furthering the conversation for his pedigree on the biggest stage, FBref states that he ranks within the top 4% for dribbles completed, and 10% for assists and blocks, when compared to positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues across the past year. 

Hincapie boasts a modernistic toolkit that will serve him well as his career progresses, with his composed, forward-thinking approach and innate ability to succeed with accurate tackles and defensive contributions all vital elements for the quintessential modern centre-back. 

Additionally, he was lauded for his “huge personality” by South American analytical site SudanAnalytics, which only furthers the claim that this is a signing Chelsea boss Graham Potter should not hesitate over. 

Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid are just two clubs monitoring the Ecuadorian colossus, and with intrigue over a deal sure to intensify over the coming months, following a thus-far excellent World Cup campaign, the Blues should swoop, replacing the Brazilian Silva from the off and inject a towering presence into the fold, set to soar for years to come.