Football
ESPN staff 9y

Philippe Coutinho in Brazil's Copa America squad, Oscar misses out

Brazil have included Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho in their squad for the Copa America but Chelsea midfielder Oscar missed out due to injury.

Brazil boss Dunga has also included Santos attacker Robinho, along with Chelsea duo Willian and Filipe Luis, but took Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho over Chelsea's Ramires.

Dunga said Oscar, who missed Chelsea's game against Crystal Palace on Sunday after a collision with Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina the previous week, has not been selected due to fitness concerns.

"Oscar picked up an injury during the last training session with Chelsea," he said. "We spoke with [Jose] Mourinho and the Chelsea doctors. His recovery will be prolonged, and so he would not be in the best of form for the Copa America."

The coach added that Oscar would be back for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

Coutinho, meanwhile, is selected despite struggling to reproduce his club form since returning to the Brazil fold.

The 22-year-old started in Brazil's recent friendly with Chile in London, but Dunga said then: "There is a lot of talk about Coutinho here in England because of what he's doing for Liverpool. I'd like to see the Brazilian fans clamouring for him too."

Casemiro and Danilo, both currently playing for Porto but owned by Real Madrid, also make the cut in a squad for which Barcelona star Neymar is expected to be the leading light.

Diego Tardelli, who is currently playing for Shandong Luneng in China, and Everton Ribero, who joined UAE club Al-Ahli earlier this year, have both been selected, marking the first time the Selecao includes players from those leagues.

Dunga said: "I have spoken before with these players that are in 'non-standard' markets for Brazilians. They will have more to prove, and have to be prepared to prove it, and do even more to stay in the group."

He added: "Everton Ribeiro is someone we already know. He is a player with skill in dribbling."

Brazil have been drawn against Colombia, Peru and Venezuela in their group for the competition, which takes place in Chile between June 11 and July 4.

Brazil squad for Copa America

Goalkeepers: Jefferson (Botafogo), Diego Alves (Valencia), Marcelo Grohe (Gremio)

Defenders: Fabinho (Monaco), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Filipe Luis (Chelsea), Danilo (Porto), David Luiz (PSG), Marquinhos (PSG), Thiago Silva (PSG), Miranda (Atletico Madrid)

Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Elias (Corinthians), Casemiro (Porto)

Attackers: Everton Ribeiro (Al-Ahli), Douglas Costa (Shakhtar Donetsk), Willian (Chelsea), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool), Robinho (Santos), Neymar (Barcelona), Diego Tardelli (Shandong Luneng), Roberto Firmino (Hoffenheim)

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