Is Pervis Estupinan now the world's (joint) best left-back?

That was the question being asked as Pervis Estupinan completed his marathon season with a flourish.

Okay, it was not asked in quite those terms.

It was more, is the world’s best full-back Ecuadorean?

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But, whatever you think the answer might be, it is some way for the former Villarreal man to sign off for a few weeks.

Estupinan made an eye-catching start to life with the Seagulls as a substitute in the win at West Ham.

That of course was in a Graham Potter side which used wing-backs and a back three.

At the time, his starting role for the national team was being questioned by some Ecuador fans.

And Albion supporters were disappointed to see player of the year Marc Cucurella head off to Chelsea after one season while somewhat sceptical about him being adequately replaced.

As Estupinan finally ended a season which he started playing friendlies for Villarreal and included the World Cup, the verdict was wholly positive.

He had assists for two of his side’s goals in the 3-1 friendly win over Costa Rica in Pennsylvania.

He also had the assist for the assist, so to speak, on the second as his cross was knocked down for the finish.

So the debate started – launched by well-known South American football writer Jorge Barraza.

Based in Buenos Aires, Barraza writes for top publications in Guayaquil (Ecuador), Bogota, Lima and La Paz.

He authored the official history of the Copa Libertadores.

Early on Wednesday our time, he told followers: “I think Pervis Estupinan is now the best left-back in the world along with Alphonse Davies (Bayern and Canada).

“He is a marker and a winger, the two functions together.

“It’s some time since we have seen a full-back with so much efficiency both in defending and attacking. And, physically speaking, he is a machine.”

Not surprisingly, given it was a bold statement, the suggestion did not meet with unanimous agreement, even in Ecuador.

The San Siro, formerly the footballing home of Paulo Maldini, Andreas Brehme and Roberto Carlos among others, is still the place to go for top left-backs according to some.

They were the readers who suggested Milan’s Theo Hernandez and Inter’s Federico Dimarco as superior candidates for the current “world’s best” tag.

But one of Barraza’s followers – a lawyer in Ecuador - said he was completely in agreement and wrote: “The evolution of Pervis and Moises (Caicedo) is surprising.”

That is certainly stating a strong case for the benefits of playing for Albion.

Even if the next step most fans back in Ecuador want to see for both men is a move to a “top” club.

Caicedo also played against Costa Rica and is the player most regularly spoken about in relation to a move.

Chelsea yesterday appeared to be clearing the decks for incoming business.

Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City) and N’Golo Kante (Al-Ittihad) all look set to leave with Manchester United hot on the trail of Mason Mount.

Kalidou Koulibaly and Hakim Ziyech are both reportedly attracting interest in Saudi Arabia.

Arsenal have agreed a fee with Chelsea for the signature of Germany forward Havertz.

The PA news agency understands a deal has now been struck between the London rivals, allowing Havertz to discuss terms and undergo a medical.

The deal is believed to top £65 million including add-ons, with Havertz now likely to become Arsenal’s first signing of the season.

Kante will join Saudi club Al-Ittihad when his Chelsea contract expires at the end of June, the club have confirmed.

The 32-year-old midfielder joined from Leicester in 2016 and has won the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup during his time at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are expected to step up interest in Caicedo this summer although, in these early days of midfielder musical chairs, Arsenal are getting nowhere with attempts to take Declan Rice from West Ham.

But, for once, Caicedo was not the Albion player being discussed in Ecuador this week.