Dunga Has No 'Untouchables' in Brazil Squad: Is He Right?

“Untouchable” is not an entirely new concept in football. Sven-Goran Eriksson had his when in charge of England. Jose Mourinho placed his trust in a core group at Chelsea during his first spell in charge.

Louis van Gaal has brought up the theme during his turbulent start to life at Manchester United. According to the Dutchman, who has recently added a reported figure of £150 million of attacking talent, captain Wayne Rooney is his only guaranteed starter up front, as reported by The Daily Mail.

One man who has rejected the concept out of hand is Dunga. The Brazil boss, upon naming his second squad since returning to the post last week, claimed that no one is guaranteed a place in his team, as reported by ESPN Brasil (link in Portuguese).

In theory, it is a logical, even noble stance. The last thing a manager needs is a complacent group of players, disinterested thanks to their secured place in the starting line-up.

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But how practical is such a stand in reality, in any team, no matter how much strength in depth is available?

No matter the success of a side, there are always key components within the starting XI, around which a playing philosophy can be built. Xavi and Andres Iniesta are intrinsic to the tiki-taka style at Barcelona, a pair Cesc Fabregas never managed to emulate at Camp Nou.

Mourinho's Chelsea spine of Petr Cech, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, was as good as set in stone.

For Dunga, and Brazil, today is one of the most delicate moments in their illustrious footballing history. Their humiliating departure at the World Cup served to highlight just how far behind the sport's superpowers they have fallen.

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The coach's job is now one of rejuvenation and discovery. In short, he is starting with a clean slate.

In that respect, it is understandable that, from square one, all players are out to impress and prove that they can be part of a new-look Selecao.

The retirement of the experienced Julio Cesar, present at three World Cups and a starter in two, opened the door for goalkeepers. Likewise, at the top of the team, Fred called time on his international career following an anonymous World Cup showing.

After Scolari's 4-2-3-1 system, using a static target man, was found desperately wanting over the summer, Dunga may well have brought the Fluminense forward's international career to an end anyway. Certainly, it is difficult to envisage Fred slipping seamlessly into the false nine philosophy used by the coach earlier this month, and is a big part of the reason former boss Mano Menezes used and dispensed with his services during his reign.

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But that does not mean Dunga's team is without vital cogs, players that, injury permitting, are likely to find themselves on the teamsheet irrespective of the occasional mistake or bad patch.

Thiago Silva's absence was sorely felt in the World Cup semi-final against Germany. The Selecao captain missed Dunga's first two games in charge, and there were indeed some encouraging displays from his understudies.

Miranda is an able deputy, and Marquinhos looks a fantastic prospect for the future. But against the world's best, and Brazil are likely to come up against Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in next year's Copa America, few would bet against Silva taking to the field regardless of form or achievements over the coming season.

The same principle would apply to the man handed the captain's armband in Silva's absence: Neymar.

There was a genuine belief the 22-year-old could carry this Brazil side on his shoulders at the World Cup, just as Garrincha had done in 1962, and just as Diego Maradona did with Argentina in 1982.

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With Neymar's injury so died Brazil's hopes of a sixth world crown. In a time when the country is in need of an idol, a personification of better times ahead, Neymar fills the boots.

To drop him were he to be available is surely not a genuine option for the boss, whatever his words last week.

Maicon, of course, was sent home, the details still shrouded in mystery, but he is a 33-year-old in the twilight of his career. Neymar is the future of this team and the focal point of the present.

Dunga's words may be one thing. His actions, over time, may well prove otherwise.