Escudé became an essential defensive unit in the following years for the Spaniards, helping them conquer a total of five titles (he played in the 2005–06 final of the UEFA Cup, a 4–0 win against England's Middlesbrough). His importance grew after the long injury layoff which bothered the captain of the team Javi Navarro, but he would also be sidelined for a long part of the 2007–08 season with a groin problem– they finished fifth, missing on qualification to the UEFA Champions League.