Brazil have been dealt an early setback ahead of the World Cup after right-back Wesley was ruled out with a thigh injury, forcing the national team's coaching staff to dip back into their player pool. It is never the news any squad wants before a major tournament, and for Wesley personally it must be absolutely gutting. These windows do not come around all that often, and missing out on a World Cup through injury is as cruel as football gets.
Stepping into the breach is Ederson, the midfielder who is set to join Manchester United in what has been one of the more exciting transfer bits of business the club has done this summer. As a United fan, there is obviously a little extra interest in seeing how he gets on wearing the famous yellow and green of Brazil, even if his role here is quite different to what he will be doing at Old Trafford. He is coming in as a squad player rather than like-for-like cover for a full-back, which tells you something about the depth Brazil have available and how much trust the coaching staff have placed in him.
Ederson has had a strong season and looks like a player who is genuinely ready to perform at the highest level. Getting World Cup experience, even if he does not start every game, will only sharpen him up further before he arrives in Manchester. From United's perspective, there is probably a quiet hope that he gets some minutes, builds confidence, and rocks up in the Premier League already match-sharp and battle-tested on the biggest stage in football.
For Brazil, the priority now is making sure this disruption does not unsettle the squad. Losing a full-back and replacing him with a midfielder is a bit of a square peg in a round hole situation on paper, but Brazil have never been short of talent and they will adapt. They have enough quality throughout the squad to absorb this kind of setback without it derailing their World Cup ambitions.
It is a tough break for Wesley, a big moment for Ederson, and a very interesting subplot for Manchester United supporters to keep an eye on. Let me know your thoughts.