Bournemouth’s Rayan is getting the chance to show Carlo Ancelotti a different side of his game. The Brazil manager has been testing the 19-year-old in midfield ahead of Saturday’s friendly against Japan.
It’s an interesting experiment. Rayan is naturally an attacker, but Ancelotti moved him into a central midfield role during Thursday’s training session in Singapore.
He played alongside Bruno Guimarães and Andrey Santos in a 4-3-3 formation, operating just behind Raphinha.
For a youngster trying to establish himself in the national team, it’s another opportunity to impress. And judging by the way he’s talking about Brazil’s future, he’s determined to make the most of it.
Ancelotti experiments with Bournemouth youngster in midfield
According to Globo Esporte, Rayan was the main surprise in Thursday’s training session at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
Ancelotti kept the 4-3-3 formation used in Brazil’s previous two friendlies but made an interesting adjustment.
Instead of playing Rayan in his usual attacking position, he placed the Bournemouth youngster in midfield alongside Arsenal’s Bruno Guimarães and Chelsea’s Andrey Santos.
That left Vinicius Junior, Raphinha and Estevao as the three attackers.
Rayan wasn’t asked to play as a conventional central midfielder, though. He operated further forward, just behind Raphinha, with instructions to attack spaces and arrive in the penalty area.
The session involved attacking movements without opposition, allowing Ancelotti to work on how his players would create chances.
Ancelotti is effectively looking at whether the youngster can offer something as an attacking midfielder, as well as further forward.
Bournemouth youngster opens up about World Cup disappointment
Rayan has also been speaking about that new era in an exclusive interview with ESPN Brazil.
The Bournemouth attacker was a surprise inclusion in Brazil’s squad for the 2026 World Cup. Unfortunately, his first experience ended earlier than he’d hoped, with Norway knocking Brazil out in the round of 16. It’s something he hasn’t forgotten.
“The biggest lesson I took from the World Cup is to give my best in every game. When I get the chance to play my first match as a starter at a World Cup, I’ll give my best, I’ll give everything I’ve got. That’s what I want to do, help the Brazilian national team,” he said.
“Of course, there was that feeling of disappointment. We know we could have gone further, but what happened happened. Now it’s about leaving that behind and carrying on with this younger generation.”
Ancelotti has been bringing more young players into the squad since the tournament. Rayan likes the direction things are going and believes the newcomers can help change the mentality.
“It’s the start of a new generation, with younger players. I’ve been in both squads since the World Cup. I think the mindset is different now. It’s about bringing these younger players in and creating a winning mentality among those playing here in Europe and in Brazil.”
He also explained why he believes younger players deserve these opportunities.
“Yes, definitely [I like the idea of calling up younger players]. Nowadays, there are lots of young players playing in the biggest leagues in the world. In Brazil too, there are lots of youngsters already starting games and getting experience in senior football. I think this mentality is good, having younger, more relaxed players who help the group.”
Brazil face Japan on Saturday before taking on Singapore on Tuesday. Two more opportunities for the Bournemouth youngster to strengthen his place in Ancelotti’s plans.
