Two players considered essential for the Brazilian national team until recently, seems to be completely out of the plans of coach Dunga.
Defender and former captain Thiago Silva and goalkeeper Jefferson were not called up by the coach for Brazil’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Paraguay. Thiago Silva hasn’t been selected by Dunga since the Copa América last year, but it was the first time the Botafogo goalkeeper was off the list. Thiago Silva has previously questioned Dunga’s decision to regularly exclude him from the national squad and also when the coach handed the captain’s armband to Neymar. The former captain has been in excellent form for PSG this season, and claims to be unaware of why he’s not part of the coach’s plans. Dunga has called up the likes of Gil and Gabriel Paulista over Thiago Silva, and now it’s difficult to imagine a return for the PSG defender to the national squad.
Jefferson was removed from the starting lineup in the World Cup qualifier against Venezuela, and Internacional’s Álisson has since been the first-choice goalkeeper under Dunga. The Botafogo goalkeeper complained shortly afterwards, and stayed as a back up for Álisson in the next selection. However, the experienced goalie wasn’t even called up on Thursday, and Dunga justified his decision when asked by reporters. He said: “We have given opportunities by talking to the coaching staff and the goalkeeping coach Taffarel. We are bringing a young player, a middle-aged player and a more experienced one. Football is like this. One plays, another waits. I called up Jefferson when he was in the second-division and nobody said anything. Now I am being questioned. I do what I think is best for the Brazilian team.”
Two players considered essential for the Brazilian national team until recently, seems to be completely out of the plans of coach Dunga.
Defender and former captain Thiago Silva and goalkeeper Jefferson were not called up by the coach for Brazil’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Paraguay. Thiago Silva hasn’t been selected by Dunga since the Copa América last year, but it was the first time the Botafogo goalkeeper was off the list. Thiago Silva has previously questioned Dunga’s decision to regularly exclude him from the national squad and also when the coach handed the captain’s armband to Neymar. The former captain has been in excellent form for PSG this season, and claims to be unaware of why he’s not part of the coach’s plans. Dunga has called up the likes of Gil and Gabriel Paulista over Thiago Silva, and now it’s difficult to imagine a return for the PSG defender to the national squad.
Jefferson was removed from the starting lineup in the World Cup qualifier against Venezuela, and Internacional’s Álisson has since been the first-choice goalkeeper under Dunga. The Botafogo goalkeeper complained shortly afterwards, and stayed as a back up for Álisson in the next selection. However, the experienced goalie wasn’t even called up on Thursday, and Dunga justified his decision when asked by reporters. He said: “We have given opportunities by talking to the coaching staff and the goalkeeping coach Taffarel. We are bringing a young player, a middle-aged player and a more experienced one. Football is like this. One plays, another waits. I called up Jefferson when he was in the second-division and nobody said anything. Now I am being questioned. I do what I think is best for the Brazilian team.”
