Chile's final 23-man squad for 2015 Copa America
Chile Manager Jorge Sampaoli has announced the 23-man squad for the Copa America and it was on the expected lines, with no major surprise inclusions. There will be more pressure on Chile this year as they are hosting the 12-team tournament. Chile has been in 4 Copa America finals, but they have never managed to win it.
With a squad boasting of Alexis Sanchez, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Bravo, they have the ammunition to go all the way. They impressed everyone last year at the World Cup with their relentless attacking football. They came very close to beating Brazil in the round of 16, eventually getting beaten on penalties.
Sampaoli decided to drop Marco Medel, Juan Cornejo and Fernando Meneses from the 26 strong squad after the training sessions they had over the last week. The speedy recovery of Eduardo Vargas ensured that he will keep his place in the team.
The only surprise inclusion is probably the 29-year-old attacking midfielder Edson Puch, who last played for Chile in 2012.
One major advantage for Chile is that they have a settled and experienced line-up, the squad is pretty much the same as the one that played in last summer's World Cup in Brazil.
It will be a big tournament for Manchester United youngster Angelo Henriquez, if he does well then he might challenge for a place at Old Trafford next season.
Chile placed in Group A, will kickstart Copa America 2015 when they take on Equador on June 11. Mexico and Bolivia are the other teams in Group A
Full Chile squad for Copa America
Goalkeepers: Claudio Bravo (FC Barcelona - SPA), Johnny Herrera (U. de Chile), Paulo Garces (Colo Colo)
Defenders: Mauricio Isla (QPR - ENG), Gonzalo Jara (Mainz - GER), Gary Medel (Inter Milan - ITA), Miiko Albornoz (Hannover 96 - GER), Jose Rojas (U. de Chile), Eugenio Mena (Cruzeiro - BRA)
Midfielders: Jean Beausejour (Colo Colo), Marcelo Diaz (Hamburger - GER), Charles Aranguiz (Internacional - BRA), Carlos Carmona (Atalanta - ITA), David Pizarro (Fiorentina - ITA), Matias Fernandez (Fiorentina - ITA), Jorge Valdivia (Palmeiras - BRA), Felipe Gutierrez (FC Twente - NED), Arturo Vidal (Juventus - ITA), Edson Puch (Huracan - ARG)
Attackers: Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal - ENG), Eduardo Vargas (QPR - ENG), Mauricio Pinilla (Atalanta - ITA), Angelo Henriquez (Dinamo Zagreb - CRO)