Sanchez, Vidal named in Chile's Confederations Cup squad

Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal headline a star-
studded Chile squad for next month's
Confederations Cup in Russia.
Confederations Cup opponents Germany decided to
rest their biggest stars for the upcoming
tournament but South American champions Chile
opted for a strong side.
While Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger would have
preferred to see Sanchez rested following
consecutive appearances at the 2014 World Cup
and the Copa America in 2015 and 2016, Chile boss
Juan Antonio Pizzi had no hesitation including the
28-year-old in his 17-man squad, initially made
up of European-based players.
Domestic-based players are yet to be named.
Chile's joint all-time leading goalscorer –
alongside Marcelo Salas with 37 – has netted 23
Premier League goals this season and 28 in all
competitions.
Vidal is also in the squad after helping German
giants Bayern Munich to a fifth successive
Bundesliga crown.
Despite a forgettable debut campaign in the
Premier League, maligned Manchester City
goalkeeper and Chile captain Claudio Bravo will
make the trip to Russia, along with Gary Medel,
Mauricio Isla, Charles Aranguiz and Eduardo
Vargas.
The Confederations Cup kicks off on June 17, with
Chile drawn in Group B alongside Germany,
Cameroon and Australia.
Chile open their campaign against Cameroon in
Moscow on June 18.
Hosts Russia, Portugal, Mexico and New Zealand
are in Group A.
Initial Chile squad for the Confederations
Cup: Charles Aranguiz (Bayer Leverkusen), Claudio
Bravo (Manchester City), Nicolas Castillo (Pumas
UNAM), Marcelo Diaz (Celta Vigo), Paulo Diaz (San
Lorenzo), Felipe Gutierrez (Internacional), Pedro
Pablo Hernandez (Celta Vigo), Mauricio Isla
(Cagliari), Gary Medel (Inter), Eugenio Mena (Sport
Recife), Edson Punch (Necaxa), Enzo Roco (Cruz
Azul), Martin Rodriguez (Cruz Azul), Alexis Sanchez
(Arsenal), Francisco Silva (Cruz Azul), Eduardo
Vargas (Tigres UANL), Arturo Vidal (Bayern
Munich).