NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
Carlo Ancelotti apologized to Joao Pedro after leaving the Chelsea striker out of Brazil’s squad for the World Cup.
The Italian admitted that several players deserved to be selected as the Seleção coach opted for experience, including the return of Neymar.
Ancelotti addresses difficult decisions about Brazil national team
Despite Pedro’s impressive Premier League campaign, Ancelotti opted for more experienced options for Brazil’s squad for the upcoming World Cup. One of the most notable selections was the return of Neymar, who has struggled with fitness for the past three years. Ancelotti acknowledged that several players would be disappointed by the final squad list, with Pedro widely seen as one of the most unfortunate omissions following his good form in England.
‘I’m sorry’
After announcing the squad, Ancelotti admitted that the selection process left some players unlucky. The Brazilian coach publicly apologized to Pedro after leaving him for the next World Cup.
“Some of the players who were with us this year will not be happy with this list,” Ancelotti told reporters. “I’m sorry and I want to thank everyone who was with us. Of course, we are sad for Joao Pedro. For the season he had in Europe, he probably deserved to be on this list, but unfortunately, with all possible conscience and respect, we chose another player. I am very sorry for Joao Pedro and everyone else.”
Bittersweet Player of the Season honor
Just hours after the disappointment of the international snub, Chelsea confirmed that Pedro had been named the club’s Player of the Season. The former Brighton player, who arrived on a £60million deal last summer, dominated the fan vote, taking more than 60 per cent of the total to finish ahead of midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moisés Caicedo.
The 24-year-old has been a revelation for the Blues, registering 15 goals and five assists in the Premier League alone. In doing so, he became the sixth player in Chelsea’s history, after legends such as Eden Hazard and Diego Costa, to reach 20 goals in his first top-flight campaign with the club. Across all competitions, that figure rises to an impressive 25 goals involved.
Attention returns to club football
Pedro will now finish the season with Chelsea before the summer break, having been left out of Brazil’s World Cup plans. The Blues are now preparing for their final two Premier League games, starting against Tottenham and then a trip to Sunderland as they look to qualify for European competition next season.
