Carlo Ancelotti defended the inclusion of Chelsea winger Estevao in Brazil's 26-man squad for November friendlies in Singapore against Japan and the host nation. The Brazil manager said the national team's objectives with the 19-year-old are different from Chelsea's.
Ancelotti explains the call-up
Ancelotti said: "We hope he can show all the quality he has. We'll keep an eye on him."
Ancelotti said: "Until the day we think he is useful... we'll keep an eye on him, giving him the opportunity to progress normally, as is necessary for a 19-year-old. These are different objectives from those at Chelsea."
Different aims for club and country
Ancelotti said: "I always believe that with one eye you have to look behind you, and with the other you have to look ahead."
Ancelotti said: "Looking behind you means that obviously Estevao or Endrick would be better off having minutes to develop."
Minutes and freshness
Ancelotti said: "But we can also say, in a positive way, that they arrive fresh, they are not tired. They can perform well with the national team."
GOAL reported that Estevao has found first-team minutes hard to come by since moving to Stamford Bridge.
GOAL reported that Estevao will join up with the squad in Southeast Asia.
