Paulinho left out of Brazil's Copa America squad

Brazil national team manager Dunga announced his 23-man squad for this summer's Copa America competition in Chile on Tuesday. Despite naming a midfield that is missing a couple of key players due to injury, Tottenham Hotspur's Paulinho was not included in the team and he will miss the competition.

Paulinho was a key player and regular starter in Luiz Felipe Scolari's Brazil teams and normally played in central midfield. His coming-out party was in the 2013 Confederations Cup, a competition that Brazil won. Paulinho was a stand-out performer in that competition, winning the Bronze Ball, and his performances were undoubtedly what led to his signing for Tottenham Hotspur for a then-record £17m fee later that summer.

Paulinho has struggled since his arrival in England and has never fully lived up to his 2013 form or his price tag. Brazil's current manager Dunga did not consider Paulinho worthy of inclusion in his squad despite Chelsea midfielders Oscar and Ramires both missing out due to injury.

Paulinho has played well of late for Tottenham Hotspur, starting in Spurs' win over Newcastle on April 19 and coming off the bench in Spurs' two most recent matches. It appears as though he is starting to show signs of improvement and hopefully can use his club experience as a springboard for future inclusion in Dunga's Brazil plans.

Brazil Copa America squad

Goalkeepers: Jefferson, Diego Alves, Marcelo Grohe

Defenders: Danilo, Fabinho, David Luiz, Thiago Silva, Miranda, Marquinhos, Filipe Luís, Marcelo

Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo, Elias, Fernandinho, Casemiro, Philippe Coutinho, Willian, Everton Ribeiro

Forwards: Douglas Costa, Roberto Firmino, Robinho, Diego Tardelli, Neymar