Chile’s new coach has emphasized to Ben Brereton Diaz the importance of learning Spanish after he was excluded from the squad for friendlies against Albania and France.
The 24-year-old forward, currently on loan at Sheffield United from Villarreal, was omitted from Ricardo Gareca’s initial squad for the upcoming matches later this month.
Brereton Diaz, born in Stoke-on-Trent to a Chilean mother and English father, has earned 27 caps for La Roja.
“I would like him to learn Spanish, I think it is important,” Gareca said.
Gareca added that he wished to look “at other options” to Brereton Diaz for the two friendlies in Europe on 22 and 26 March.
“I would like him to learn Spanish, I think it is important,” Gareca said.
Gareca added that he wished to look “at other options” to Brereton Diaz for the two friendlies in Europe on 22 and 26 March.
Gareca, who assumed the role of Chile’s new coach in January, stated that “now the decision is this,” indicating Brereton Diaz’s exclusion, but clarified that fluency in Spanish was not an obligatory requirement for future selection.
However, the 66-year-old emphasized that if Brereton Diaz was “truly committed” to representing Chile, then acquiring proficiency in the language would be advantageous.
Brereton Diaz unexpectedly captured the hearts of Chileans after his call-up for the 2021 Copa America.
His eligibility was discovered through diligent research, initially highlighted by a thorough examination of the Football Manager video game and later confirmed in an interview with the Blackburn Rovers website during his tenure at Ewood Park.