Willian: Nobody is guaranteed Brazil role

Willian has emphasised the competition for places in Dunga’s Brazil side, insisting even he is at risk of losing his role in the team.

The Chelsea midfielder has started all but one of Dunga’s 14 games in charge, missing only March’s victory over Chile in which a number of first-team players were rested.

But with the emergence of the likes of Douglas Costa, and the recalls of Coutinho and Lucas Moura, Willian insists nobody is guaranteed a place with the Selecao.

“In the national team you always need to be proving yourself and evolving,” Willian told reporters in New Jersey.

“My attitude now is to never to settle and think I'm an absolute starter. Of course I have the confidence of everyone, but I must continue to get in and always do my best.

“But I can never settle, if I do someone else will take my place.”

Willian looks to have retained his role in the team for Saturday’s Chevrolet Brasil Global Tour clash with Costa Rica at Red Bull Arena after lining up on the right side of the attack in Dunga’s first-team at Thursday’s training session in New Jersey.

There looks set to be a number of changes, however, with Lucas Lima tipped to make his debut and the returning Hulk likely to replace Roberto Firmino up front.

And 27-year-old Willian went on to say that he think it’s only natural that the national team is still in a state of transition, maintaining his belief that the lack of time the squad have together means it takes longer to find the cohesion we see at club level.

“At your club you are with the same people all day, and here with the Selecao there is very little time to work,” he said.

“Still, we try to do our best and build the best rapport possible. Sometimes, however, that can end up not working. But we will continue working at it so that everything comes together.

“Now we hope we will win the next friendlies and then the World Cup qualifiers as well.”