Brazil boss Tite reveals World Cup starting XI in bizarre move… with Manchester City crock Gabriel Jesus in attack

BRAZIL boss Tite has bizarrely revealed his starting XI for this summer’s World Cup… and has crocked Manchester City ace Gabriel Jesus leading the line.

The five-time winners reached the tournament in Russia with ease, and 23 players will be hoping to represent their country at the finals.

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However, Tite told UOL Esporte he will stick with the same team which played in almost every South American qualifier over the past 18 months.

And he has named Jesus as the central forward in a 4-3-3 formation which also includes Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar and Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho.

Jesus is the sole representative from the Premier League despite his current absence due to ligament damage.

But Tite appears to be confident that the 20-year-old will recover in plenty of time for the start of the World Cup in June.

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Roma’s Alisson Becker will be in goal, with PSG defenders Dani Alves and Marquinhos joined by Inter Milan’s Miranda and Real Madrid’s Marcelo.

Los Blancos team-mate Casemiro continues as Brazil’s anchorman, and will be supported in midfield by Barcelona’s Paulinho and Beijing Guoan’s Renato Augusto.

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Tite has also decided to select four of his substitutes, meaning there are just six outfield places left up for grabs.

Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino, Man City’s Fernandinho, Chelsea’s Willian and PSG’s Thiago Silva are the four back-up players guaranteed of a seat on the plane to Russia.

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But it means the rest of Brazil’s talented player pool will have to be at their very best from now until the end of the season.

City’s uncapped goalie Ederson will be hoping to secure his place as No 2 in the squad, with a third keeper slot also yet to be filled.

However, former regulars such as Juventus’ Douglas Costa, Chelsea’s David Luiz and Marseille’s Luiz Gustavo risk being left at home.

Atletico Madrid’s Filipe Luis could battle it out with Juve’s Alex Sandro for the second left-back spot, while Palmeiras’ Lucas Lima and Flamengo’s Diego will be hoping to provide some flair from the bench.

Times Newspapers Ltd