Arturo Vidal will feature at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, despite concerns linked to his recent knee surgery. Insecurity surrounds the Juventus defensive midfielder. Will he be ready for the World Cup?
The team will have to play against titleholders Spain, the Netherlands and Australia in Group B. Vidal may not be able to perform at 100 per cent in the group stages but his influence in the squad could not be ignored; coach Sampaoli simply cannot deprive himself of the Serie A champion.
The Juve star was called up for the provisional squad and eventually made it into the final cut. The list included Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez and presented a few surprises.
Barca's attacker celebrates a comfortable win over England
Noteworthy absentees are experienced Humberto Suazo, who plays in Mexico now, and Fiorentina’s midfielder David Pizzarro.
Damn, without Chupete, chile might as well not even try, Sanchez, Vidal and Bosejour can't do it alone.
— Ang Ketchum⚽ (@obeycoronahh) May 13, 2014
For the first time Chile’s coach decided to name Swedish-born midfielder Miiko Albornoz.
Swedish-Chilean player, Miiko Albornoz
TEAM PHOTO: Chile's squad looks composed with Alexis Sanchez and Vidal leading the lineup
Chile's provisional list was as follows:
Goalkeepers: Claudio Bravo, Johnny Herrera, Cristopher Toselli, Paulo Garces
Defenders: Gary Medel, Gonzalo Jara, Marcos Gonzalez, Enzo Andia, José Rojas, Eugenio Mena, Mauricio Isla
Midfielders: Jorge Valdívia, Felipe Gutiérrez, Rodrigo Millar, José Pedro Fuenzalida, Pablo Hernández, Matias Fernández, Francisco Silva, Arturo Vidal, Charles Aránguiz, Marcelo Díaz, Carlos Carmona, Miiko Albornoz
Forwards: Alexis Sánchez, Esteban Paredes, Eduardo Vargas, Gustavo Canales, Jean Beausejour, Mauricio Pinilla, Fabián Orellana
Paulo Garces, Marcos Gonzalez, Enzo Andia, Rodrigo Millar, Pablo Hernandez, Matias Fernandez, and Gustavo Canales did not make the 23-man squad ready to impress in Brazil.
Chile's final 23-man World Cup 2014 squad
