Alex Telles’s World Cup hopes receive double boost

Alex Telles‘s World Cup hopes have received a double boost in recent days following developments at loan side Sevilla.

The 29-year-old is spending the season at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan from parent club Manchester United.

Following the arrival of Netherlands international Tyrell Malacia, who was Erik ten Hag’s first signing, Telles opted to leave on loan instead of competing with the former Feyenoord man and Luke Shaw to get minutes at left-back.

Telles said he sought a loan move so he could have a better shot at securing his place in the Brazil squad for this winter’s World Cup in Qatar.

The former Porto man, who has been capped eight times for the Selecao, has been included in Tite’s plans throughout 2022 but is not guaranteed of a spot in Qatar.

Telles started both of Brazil’s friendly wins against Ghana and Tunisia last month, but he faces stiff competition for the left-back berth.

As well as Nottingham Forest’s Renan Lodi, who is spending the season on loan at the City Ground from Atletico Madrid, Alex Sandro and Guilherme Arana are also vying for a spot in Tite’s 26-man squad.

Alex Telles’s World Cup hopes receive double boost

Getting game time in between now and the World Cup starting next month is going to be imperative to Telles’s chances of joining Fred, Casemiro and Antony in the Brazil squad.

Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui, who has been linked with the vacant managerial position at Wolves, has started Telles in both of Sevilla’s Champions League matches.

But in La Liga, Telles has only made one start since making the switch to Spain.

But after coming on just shy of the half hour mark in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid, Telles may have the opportunity to make the left-back position his own.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Karim Rekik, who Telles replaced, is expected to be out for at least three weeks while the club’s website confirmed that the Netherlands international has torn his right hamstring.

While fellow left-back Marcos Acuna was pictured clashing with a fan at the club’s training ground the morning after the Atletico defeat.

The Argentina international, who missed the defeat to Diego Simeone’s side, will be looking to re-establish himself as Sevilla’s first choice left-back having started five games this season.

But after the small clash with a fan, Telles will be hoping to take advantage if Acuna’s absence continues.

Sevilla face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League tomorrow night.

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