:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49292125/GettyImages-455081948.0.jpg)
According to TV Globo journalist Mauro Naves, Chelsea's attacking midfielder Willian might be chosen as one of Brazil's three players over the age of 23 to play in the next Olympic Games. As most of you are no doubt aware, those games will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The journalist claims that Brazil's U23 main goalkeeper Ederson, who plays for Benfica, has been in good enough form that it could open up a spot for Willian. Dunga, who's set to manage the U23 squad in the Olympic Games, might discard the idea of taking a more experienced goalkeeper to the Olympics in Internacional's Alisson.
"Ederson [Brazil's U23 main goalkeeper] has been playing very well in the [Olympic] Seleção, but he's a 21-year-old boy - although Alisson [Brazil's first-choice goalkeeper] is only 23 years old."
"But he's been playing well and earning experience. This could give [the coaching staff] the conviction that 'we have a good goalkeeper, we don't need Alisson'. This would open up a vacant spot in the attack, and the candidate to fill this spot is Willian."
"You'd have another star player in the attack alongside Neymar, and something [good] might happen. If Ederson keeps up his form, it would be an opportunity."
-Mauro Naves; Source: SporTV
If Willian is selected, he could be unavailable to play for Chelsea from late July to August 20th if Brazil reaches the Olympics finals, as they did in the 2012 games at London. With the Premier League starting on August 13th and the Blues set to play in a handful of friendlies throughout the month of July for their pre-season, as well as the possibility of playing the early rounds of the Europa League, Willian's absence could be noticeable.
While Willian's impact has lessened as the season progressed, he was still a key member of the squad in the early going. Hopefully Chelsea have a plan in the case that we lose a key squad player for the start of the season, either by utilizing more youngsters, or by getting reinforcements in the transfer market.