Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho has spoken to the Brazilian press after joining the national squad, which will be playing two friendlies during the current break.
The player has travelled to Paris, where Brazil will be facing Japan, and then goes to London where he’ll play against England at Wembley.
Fernandinho has started the last few matches on the bench, as it’s Casemiro who has been playing in the defensive midfield position. But there’s some expectation of a change in the team for these games, and City player could replace Renato Augusto and play alongside Philippe Coutinho.
Regarding the change in position, he said: “We had this conversation in Sao Paulo, but we talked about keeping my characteristics, ball possession, long distance shots. That I would not do exactly the same thing as Renato Augusto. Let’s see what variations Tite can make.” (via Globo Esporte).
As most of the Brazilian players have been in great form, just like himself at Manchester City, Fernandinho wished the World Cup could be played sooner: “It would be great, for the moment that we live in the clubs, in the national team, playing well and with confidence.
“And because we’re physically very well. Probably in June, at the end of the season, it will be different, we will get a little tired. That makes a big difference, if it started in two weeks the performance of all the players would be much better.”
And although he’s pratically guaranteed his spot in the World Cup squad, the player still doesn’t want to admit it: “I try to enjoy every moment in the national team, to learn a lot from the technical staff, and I have brought to my club what I am learning.
“This is very good, nice, to learn from people who have great history in football, they are winners. I try to absorb as much as possible, and the expectation is very great. The World Cup is close but at the same time very far because before June so much can happen. I live day by day.”
The Manchester City player has recently been criticised by the Brazilian press, as not all local pundits believe he deserves a place in the squad. But Tite seems to think the opposite.
