Tite on a scouting trip

Brazil coach scouting in Europe

Tite and two of his aides were in the stands for Chelsea’s match against Real Madrid yesterday. After securing their place at the World Cup this winter, the coaching trio is flying over from South America to do a brief tour of their European-based players.

The Madrid team is of much more interest than the Chelsea side. Madrid has Casemiro, Vinicius, Rodrygo, and Eder Militao, whereas Chelsea has Thiago Silva (whom Tite has seen plenty of). Tite and co. timed it perfectly since they were able to watch Emerson and Gabriel Jesus play for Manchester City last night, as well as Renan Lodi and Mateus Cunha for Atletico.

It wouldn’t be a World Cup without Brazil, and the Selecao will attempt to end Europe’s dominance on the biggest stage for the first time since 2002 when they won their fifth title. Despite Argentina’s victory in the Copa America final last year, many experts believe Brazil is the team most likely to recover control of the World Cup for South America.