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Copa America 2021 is all set to begin in Brazil, with the hosts being among the favourites to win the tournament.
Brazil boast a strong squad and a wily manager, Tite. The likes of world-class players like Neymar and Alisson are expected to play key roles if Brazil intend to win Copa America 2021.
There is some new blood in the 24-man Brazilian squad as well. It is clear Brazil are planning for the future, as Lucas Paqueta, Vinicius Junior and Eder Militao have been included in the squad.
On that note, let's take a look at the strongest possible XI of Brazil at Copa America 2021.
Goalkeeper - Alisson Becker (Liverpool)
Brazil manager Tite has two world-class goalkeepers to choose from in the form of Liverpool's Alisson Becker and Manchester City's Ederson Moraes.
Alisson has been the preferred choice for Tite so far, and it looks likely that that could be the case at Copa America 2021 too. The 28-year old, who joined Liverpool from Roma in 2018 for a fee of £56.2 million, has been sensational for Jurgen Klopp's side since his debut.
Also Read: Strongest possible starting XI for England | UEFA Euro 2020.
Liverpool did not enjoy the best of seasons in 2020-21, and Alisson had to make do with a rotating cast of centre-backs ahead of him due to injuries to key personnel.
Nevertheless, the Brazilian kept ten clean sheets in 33 league appearances. The crowning moment of his season was his winning goal in injury-time against West Bromwich Albion. That eventually proved key in ensuring Liverpool finished in the top four.
Other options: Ederson Moraes (Manchester City), Weverton (Palmeiras).
Also Read: Fabrizio Romano's Transfer Roundup: Update on Manchester United's pursuit of Jadon Sancho, Chelsea's plans for Hakimi, and more.
Right-back - Danilo (Juventus)
There is no Dani Alves in Brazil's Copa America 2021 squad, so Juventus' Danilo is the likely starter for his country at the tournament.
The 29-year old, who made his name at Porto, was a squad player at Real Madrid and Manchester City before joining Juventus in 2019. Danilo was a consistent starter for the Old Lady this season, making 32 league starts, scoring one goal and providing four assists.
Danilo was utilised in a variety of positions during the 2020-21 season. Predominantly a right-back, the former Santos man also played as a left-back, centre-back and even in midfield this season. His versatility could prove to be useful for Brazil manager Tite at Copa America 2021.
Centre-back - Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain)
One of the most underrated players in Europe right now, Marquinhos has matured into a world-class centre-back at Paris Saint-Germain and is now a consistent starter for both club and country.
Paris Saint-Germain made their ambitions clear when they spent £28.2 million to acquire the then 19-year-old Marquinhos from AS Roma in 2013. The Brazilian developed in the company of Thiago Silva and soon formed an excellent defensive partnership with his fellow countryman for the Ligue 1 giants.
In recent years, the 27-year old has played in midfield, highlighting his ability on the ball and his defensive prowess. At Copa America 2021, Marquinhos, if fully fit, is a likely starter for Brazil.
Centre-back - Thiago Silva (Chelsea)
Eyebrows were raised when Chelsea signed Thiago Silva on a free transfer last summer. But Silva answered in the best way possible, producing some excellent performances in the league, finishing the season as a Champions League winner and being picked in Brazil's Copa America 2021 squad.
The 36-year-old, who is the captain of Brazil at Copa America 2021, was regarded by many as one of the best centre-backs in the game during his prime. Silva's spells with AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain were trophy-laden, and he is already a fan favourite at Chelsea.
A physically gifted defender, who is strong in the air and good on the ball, Silva has earned 93 senior caps for Brazil. He was part of the side that won the Copa America in 2019, so Silva will be keen to replicate that success at Copa America 2021.
Left-back - Alex Sandro (Juventus)
A transfer rumour mill favourite, Alex Sandro, has been linked with a move away from Juventus for quite some time but continues to be a starter for the Old Lady every season.
Alex Sandro joined Juventus from Porto in 2015 for £23.4 million and has been a consistent presence for the Old Lady since then. Comfortable on the ball and a good reader of the game, the 30-year old has made 232 appearances in all competitions for Juventus, scoring 13 goals and providing 30 assists.
Perennially linked with clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea, Alex Sandro has completed six seasons with Juventus. At Copa America 2021, his experience could be vital for Brazil.
Other options: Emerson Royal (Barcelona), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid), Felipe (Atletico Madrid)
Also Read: Copa America 2021: 5 players above the age of 30 who could dominate the tournament.
Defensive Midfielder - Casemiro (Real Madrid)
Regarded as the best defensive midfielder in world football, Brazil's Casemiro will patrol the area ahead of his team's defence at Copa America 2021.
The midfielder has played a key role in Real Madrid's incredible success under Zinedine Zidane. The Real Madrid midfield of Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric is regarded as one of the best midfield trios of the modern generation.
The 29-year old is an aggressive midfielder who is physically strong and technically proficient. Casemiro does not shy away from taking an effort from range, scoring six goals in the league for Real Madrid this season. Barring injuries, Casemiro should be a starter for Brazil at Copa America 2021.
Central Midfielder - Fabinho (Liverpool)
It may be surprising to see Fabinho having only 13 caps for Brazil, given his importance to Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool after an excellent spell with AS Monaco.
A strong defensive midfielder, Fabinho is a highly versatile player. The 27-year-old joined Liverpool from AS Monaco in 2018 for £40.5 million. After a slow start to his Liverpool career, he blossomed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League.
Fabinho was utilised as a centre-back for much of the 2020-21 season due to injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip. However, it became evident that the Brazilian is key to Liverpool's balance in midfield, so he is likely return to his midfield role next season.
It will be interesting to see how Tite sets up Brazil's midfield at Copa America 2021 and what role Fabinho plays.
Central Midfielder - Lucas Paqueta (Lyon)
Lucas Paqueta was a highly-rated talent during his Flamengo days, so his AC Milan move in January 2019 was seen as an ideal step up in his career.
Paqueta's spell in Italy did not work out as expected, but the 23-year-old has shone for Lyon in the season gone by. The Brazilian joined the Ligue 1 giants from AC Milan for £18 million last summer. He was used in a central midfield role by Lyon, where he impressed with his creativity and defensive prowess. Paqueta subsequently earned a place in Brazil's Copa America 2021 squad.
Paqueta made 27 Ligue 1 starts, scoring nine goals and providing five assists. At Copa America 2021, he will be tasked with providing creativity from midfield, which will be key, given the defensive nature of players like Casemiro, Fabinho and Fred.
Other options: Fred (Manchester United), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Everton Ribeiro (Flamengo).
Also Read: Copa America 2021: Top 5 Golden Ball contenders.
Right Winger - Richarlison (Everton)
Much is expected from Brazil's Richarlison at Everton, given the fact he arrived on a £35.2 million transfer from Watford in 2018 and the skills he has shown in the Premier League.
The 2020-21 season was an underwhelming one for Richarlison, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the Everton attacker, dominated discussions. Richarlison made 33 league starts, scoring seven goals and providing three assists, and he will need to ensure he improves on his returns at Copa America 2021.
The 24-year-old is immensely gifted and is regarded highly by Brazil manager Tite. Richarlison has 25 caps and nine goals for Brazil, so a strong Copa America 2021 campaign could prove to be crucial for his team's title hopes at the tournament.
Centre Forward - Roberto Firmino (Liverpool)
It would be fair to say that Roberto Firmino's stock has declined in recent years after a few subpar individual seasons with Liverpool.
A flexible forward, Firmino has been a key component in Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool side over the years, but there have been signs that he has started to decline. The 29-year-old scored only nine league goals this season. While goals are only one part of his game, his ability to drop deep and link up play have also shown signs of deterioration.
Firmino has been a consistent starter for Liverpool under Klopp. At Copa America 2021, his ability to drop into midfield could be key, and his performances at the tournament could also have a say on his Liverpool future.
Left Winger - Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain)
Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain's superstar Neymar will be his country's key forward at Copa America 2021.
The 29-year-old has been his country's talisman for some time now, and at Copa America 2021, it will be no different. One of the best players in the game, Neymar already has 105 caps and 66 goals for Brazil. His creativity, goalscoring ability and world-class dribbling could all be on show at Copa America 2021.
Neymar and Paris Saint-Germain did not enjoy the best of seasons this time around. The Brazilian made only 15 league starts for the Parisien giants, scoring nine goals and providing five assists, so and more will be expected from the mercurial winger at Copa America 2021.
Other options: Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), Everton Cebolinha (Benfica), Gabriel Barbosa (Flamengo).
Also Read: Copa America 2021: 5 players who could outshine Lionel Messi at the tournament.
