Willian has jumped to the defence of Gabriel Jesus amid criticism of the Manchester City striker’s lack of goals for Brazil at the World Cup.

Tite, the Brazil coach, is coming under pressure to drop Jesus and start Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino in the Selecao’s quarter-final against Belgium in Kazan on Friday.

But Willian, who sidestepped questions over his future amid reports of Chelsea rejecting a £50 million bid from Barcelona for the forward, gave his staunch backing to Jesus. The 21 year-old has yet to score in Russia and watched Firmino come off the bench to claim Brazil’s second goal in their 2-0, last-16 win over Mexico.

“He has the confidence of everyone around here,” Willian said of Jesus. “I hear people criticise him for not scoring but the work he does in marking and recovering the ball is brilliant. We trust him to continue with us. Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino are equally important.”

Willian’s Brazil team-mates Paulinho and Philippe Coutinho are at Barcelona but the Chelsea forward said he was not thinking about his future at this moment.”

“Paulinho and Coutinho are great players, and friends. I've heard about rumours linking me with a move but now is not the time to talk about it. My concentration is only on the Selecao,” he said.