Brazil international Anderson Talisca has dismissed suggestions his move to China could halt his Selecao progress – insisting the CSL can propel him to World Cup 2022.
The 24-year-old was courted by some of Europe’s leading clubs following a return to form at Besiktas, but instead elected to join Guangzhou Evergrande in another loan deal from his parent club Benfica, signing with the CSL club until the end of 2018.
And with six goals in his first six games for the Chinese club, Talisca is confident his brief spell in Asia will do his international aspirations no harm.
“[World Cup 2022] is not a wish, but a dream. For that dream to be accomplished,” he told Globo.
“I am confident, I have quality and I have what it takes to do a good job for the Selecao.”
Brazil coach Tite called up a number of China-based players since taking up the role two years ago, with Paulinho and Renato Augusto having become established, first-team players for their country while plying their trade in the CSL.
Goal/Rupert Fryer
“I do not regret anything,” Talisca insists.
“I came here to evolve, not only for the money. People think I came to China just for the money, but that’s not the case. Here we live well, we eat well, we have security here, just as anyone has in Europe.”
Talisca joined the Brazil squad in November 2014 for a Brasil Global Tour double-header under previous coach Dunga, and then again in March of this year under Tite, but both times failed to make it onto the field for an international debut.
And even with the likes of Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho still reported to be interested in the creative and dynamic midfielder, there is no guarantee that his Asian adventure will end along with his current deal in December.
“The city is incredible, I've never seen such a city,” he said. “It is a cosmopolitan city with a lot of foreigners. Where I live, there are lots of Brazilians, Germans, Italians. It has Brazilian, German, Spanish and Italian restaurants. This city has a lot to offer.
"I'm doing well here, so at the end of the contract, in December, you'll know [what happens next].”
Talisca will be among those hoping to hear their names called on August 17 when Tite names his squad for September’s Brasil Global Tour fixtures against USA and El Salvador.
