Joao Pedro omitted from Brazil World Cup squad as Chelsea star beaten in shock snub | OneFootball

Carlo Ancelotti has made some surprise selections for this summer’s tournament

Chelsea stars Joao Pedro and Estevao Willian will not be going to the World Cup after the pair missed out on Brazil’s final squad.

It did not include Joao Pedro - a surprise exclusion - although Estevao’s absence is more understandable considering the winger’s recent hamstring troubles.

Joao Pedro joined the Blues from Brighton last summer, and has cemented himself as the Blues’ first-choice centre-forward ahead of Liam Delap.

He has scored 15 goals in 34 Premier League games this term, as well as three in eight Champions League appearances.

There was, however, a place for veteran forward Neymar, who had been publicly lobbying for a place on the plane.

Neymar, who plays back in his native Brazil for hometown club Santos, was a shock inclusion from Ancelotti after a wretched spell with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, where he played just seven times in an 18-month spell.

Regardless, he will be travelling with his compatriots this summer, and so will Bournemouth starlet Rayan, who has hit the ground running since his move to the Dorset coast in January.

Sidelined: Estevao

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The winger, 19, joined the Cherries from Vasco da Gama to replace Antoine Semenyo, and he has hit five goals and two assists in 13 games for his new side.

Also selected is Brentford’s Igor Thiago, who has been rewarded for this season’s goal glut, with the Bees striker notching 22 for the campaign.

Liverpool’s Alisson Becker will be the Selecao’s first-choice shot-stopper, while Arsenal’s Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli are also included.

Other Premier League names in Ancelotti’s squad are Manchester United’s Casemiro and Matheus Cunha, Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, and former West Ham playmaker Lucas Paqueta, who is now back in Brazil with Flamengo.

Vinicius Junior and Raphinha are both involved, and so is Endrick, who has impressed on loan in France with Lyon.

Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker, Ederson, Weverton

Defenders: Marquinhos, Gabriel, Gleison Bremer, Leo Pereira, Roger Ibanez, Wesley Franca, Danilo, Alex Sandro, Douglas Santos

Forwards: Vinicius Jr, Raphinha, Matheus Cunha, Luiz Henrique, Gabriel Martinelli, Neymar, Endrick, Rayan, Igor Thiago