Only 1 Premier League player features in Tite's confirmed XI for 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia

Bengaluru, February 18: Forget days, managers do not like to reveal their Playing XI even hours before a match. Brazil coach Tite, however, is a tad different - with still four months to go for June's 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Tite has revealed the XI he would employ and four guaranteed substitutes.

Among the XI that Tite has named, there's only one Premier League player in it - Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City.

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In an interview with UOL Esporte, a Brazilian sports website, Tite said he will stick to the eleven players who featured regularly in Brazil's qualification campaign for Russia 2018.

TITE has confirmed in an interview with UOL that these 15 names are 100% going to the World Cup:

"Alisson, Daniel Alves, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Miranda, Marcelo, Casemiro, Fernandinho, Renato Augusto, Willian, Paulinho, Coutinho, Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino." pic.twitter.com/I0359C2oGh

— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStat) February 16, 2018

Tite said he will deploy a 4-3-3 system with Alisson as his goalkeeper. Dani Alves, Marquinhos, Miranda and Marcelo are the four defenders. Renato Augusto, Casemiro and Paulinho form the midfield with Philippe Coutinho, Gabriel Jesus and Neymar set to play up front.

The four players who are guaranteed a place on the bench are Roberto Firminho of Liverpool, Chelsea's Willian, Thiago Silva of PSG and Manchester City's Fernandinho.

Interestingly, the Playing XI has Renato Augusto, a 30-year-old midfielder for Beijing Guoan in the Chinese Super League.

What's impressive about the list is the number of top Brazilian players who don't feature in it. Manchester City's Ederson and Danilo, Juventus' Alex Sandro and Douglas Costa, Chelsea's David Luiz, Athletico Madrid's Felipe Luis, Bayern Munich's Rafinha and Tottenham's Lucas Moura have all missed out. Tito also appears to have forgotten players like Oscar, Ramires, Hulk and Alexandre Pato.

Managers usually like to tell the media that everyone is still fighting for a spot on the team. It helps the players remain focused on performing well and also keeps the opposition guessing.

With 15 formidable players confirmed, there are only six spots up for grabs, unless someone suffers an injury in the next four months.

Though there is plenty of time for them to make it to the flight to Russia, there must be a lot of concern for the big names who haven’t made it.

Tite has made a bold move by naming his preferred XI. While it has shocked most, maybe his confidence and assurance is exactly what the Brazilian players need.