Chelsea forward Willian wants to forgo the option of a break this summer and play in both the Copa America and the Olympics for Brazil.
For the first time in the competition’s history, the Copa America will not be played in South America, instead, it will take place in the USA from the 3rd-26th June.
Willian is all-but-certain to be in the Brazilian side for that competition, but he’s also stated that he wants to represent his country in the Olympic Games too.
The rules of the Olympic football tournament allow every team to pick three players over the age of 23, and 27-year-old Willian says that he wants to be one of the overage players selected by Brazil. His manager, Dunga reportedly does too.
The Olympics will be held in Brazil this year, so it’s understandable that Willian wants to play in them, but the final of the tournament is on August 20th and the Premier League season is scheduled to start on August 13th.
Unless Brazil got knocked out at the group stages, which is highly unlikely as they’re are in a group with Denmark, Iraq and South Africa, then Willian would miss the start of the 2016/17 season if he is selected to play.
Speaking about his desire to play in both tournaments, he told ESPN Brazil:
Everyone knows my desire to play in both championships, but of course we do not want to fight and put Chelsea in a difficult situation, and I do not want to fight with the Brazil Football Confederation. I hope they and Chelsea enter into an agreement.
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