5 key players for Brazil at the 2014 FIFA World Cup

With just two more weeks to go, the excitement preceding the World Cup has reached fever pitch. The FIFA World Cup has always been regarded as the biggest sporting event in the world. This surely comes with a large following and a viewership that is the highest for any sporting event.As we pre-empt the action, there is mountingspeculation as to who will be the champions. To a majority of the people, Brazil does seem to be the team that would claim the ultimate honour this time. Being the hosts, their familiarity with the conditions and the recent triumph in the Confederations Cup are cited as the reasons forsuch predictions.While Brazil may just turn out to prove those predictions right, it is essential that their players perform in order for them to do that. We shall take a look at 5 players who are vital to the team and would be expected to headline Brazils challenge at the World Cup.You can see the Top 5 players for other teams here: FIFA World Cup top 5 Players for each country

#1 Thiago Silva

The captain of the team certainly needs to replicate his form at PSG this summer in Brazil. Despite having quite a number of minor injuries since his arrival in Paris, he has made sure that his game hasn’t suffered.

In a country that is famous for its attacking flair, Thiago Silva is known as a tough defender who is regarded as one of the world’s best in his position. In the Brazilian squad which comprises of many young players, Thiago Silva would be crucial in leading the team by example. His experience of having played at Europe’s top clubs will come in handy while guiding the younger stars of his team.

At 29, he is part of a new breed of defenders who are weak in no particular area. His main strengths include his pace and physical presence at the back coupled with his aerial ability and tough tackling.

His partnership with David Luiz has been highly efficient in drying up the number of goals conceded with them conceding just three goals in their last 8 matches. Silva’s ability with the ball at his feet isn’t questionable either, with him having a very good rate of long balls from defense, averaging seven accurate long balls every game.

Seeing as Scolari has set up his team to defend tight and attack on the counter, it would be vital that Silva performs well on both fronts. He would be vital in holding the defense together with David Luiz, who could be erratic occasionally.

And the same would apply for his contributions on the counter attack, as he has done with PSG. Above all that, Brazil have a rich heritage of captains leading their side from the front. A recent example would be Cafu and Silva must make sure he is a part of that list.

#2 Neymar

Neymar’s first season in Europe didn’t go to plan as the club won no accolades and there was a lot of controversy over the money paid by Barcelona for his transfer.

Following a big-money move and having won the Confederations Cup last year, this isn’t exactly the kind of season he would have wanted to have preceding the World Cup at home.

Having been played on the left wing pre-dominantly (and one game on the right wing against Real Madrid), Neymar was effective in the big games but failed to deliver otherwise. The distinct style of football played at Barcelona has yet to synchronize with Neymar’s Brazilian roots, which consists of a game based on pace and flair.

Often likened to Pele and wearing the iconic No.10 jersey for his country, Neymar is a consistent performer for the national team. His record for Brazil stands at 30 goals from 47 appearances. This is much better than Ronaldo for Portugal or Lionel Messi for Argentina.

Such a brilliant record for a 23-year old youngster implies that he is indeed a special player. Neymar’s ability on the big stage came to the fore last year when he was the key player in Brazil’s triumph in the Confederations Cup. He was named the Player of the Tournament after he ended with four goals, one of which was in the final.

Although his form at Barcelona was quite shaky, Neymar continued his exploits in the national team after the Confederations Cup, scoring 7 goals in 8 appearances. All these are clearly indicative of the fact that Neymar plays best when he is part of a counter-attacking set up where he can put his ball skills to the best use.

Just like the Confederations Cup, Neymar will be expected to lead the attack at the World Cup. And it is essential that he performs well for Brazil to have a good chance of winning the tournament.

#3 Oscar

Oscar has developed into more of a balanced player than the one we saw in his days at Internacional. Promoted as the first-choice attacking midfielder over Mata by Jose Mourinho, the move paid dividends as Oscar was good going both ways.

While his early season form was excellent, his contributions to the team dried up towards the latter part of the 2013/14 season.

However, this turn of results could be fueled by the fact that Oscar has developed into a complete player in the No.10 role, unlike the pure-attacking player we knew earlier. Just as with Neymar, his natural flair makes him a highly useful player in the final third, Mourinho’s demand for a high work-rate has converted him into a hard-working player who tracks back as well.

Gradually through the season, his position has come down to that of a third midfielder who can play the role of ball-carrier from midfield to attack. Brazil’s two-man midfield which surely includes two defensive midfielders places high emphasis on Oscar’s ability and therefore, his presence alongside them is required for their attack to function efficiently.

In the Confederations Cup, Oscar was given the license to roam forward and it would be the same this time as well. However, seeing as Neymar hardly tracks back, it would be important for Oscar to compensate and he has definitely grown into his role.

While tracking back isn’t the most important part of Oscar’s presence in the team, his creativity is. Brazil’s lack of creativity from the midfield places the onus on Oscar to shoulder the responsibility entirely. The fact he would have three very good forwards around him makes the the most important cog in their Brazlian machine.

#4 Luis Gustavo

Luiz Gustavo may not be the first player that comes to your mind when you think of Brazil. However, he is one of the favourites of Scolari who values Gustavo very highly. While he is one of the few players in the squad who don’t possess the ‘Samba flair’, his tactical awareness and disciplined positioning make up for more than that.

After spending two years at Bayern Munich, he moved to Wolfsburg after the Confederations Cup. Unlike Bayern, where his contributions went unrecognized, he is a highly valued player at Wolfsburg which can be taken from the fact that he has featured in 29 games this season and scored 4 goals.

He uses his tall frame to his advantage in aerial duels with the opposition. He is very good at spotting and perceiving the movement of his teammates, something which prompted Scolari to give him the nod ahead of other defensive midfielders. His partnership with Paulinho has been very good as both men have quickly struck up a good understanding.

Considering both of them are defensive midfielders predominantly, their movement has been unrestricted. Should one of them progress further up the pitch, the other can hold his line to protect the defense. Scolari has been intent on playing two defensive midfielders ever since he took charge. Seeing as that system delivered results last year and has continued to do so in the friendlies, it is unlikely that he would change it.

And seeing as that’s the case, Luis Gustavo is a vital player who would have to step up and make sure he holds his line for the back four to remain secure.

#5 Fred

Despite the fact that this past season wasn’t up to his usual standards, Fred is Scolari’s most logical choice for a No.9. Contrary to Brazil’s past strikers who were usually plying their trade at the top clubs in Europe, Fred has spent just three seasons in Europe and the rest of his footballing career has been in Brazil.

Fred was the top scorer in the Confederations Cup last year with 5 goals from six matches and formed a highly effective partnership with Neymar. If he were to recreate the same efficiency he produced then, Brazil would indeed benefit and become a better team.

Fred’s game is purely based on positioning himself correctly to receive the ball and then finishing it. Ever since the days of Ronaldo, Brazil have lacked a proper striker. Adriano was good for some time but he flattered to deceive.

While Fred is way off the level of Ronaldo, he certainly does possess an ability to score goals from proper situations without wasting the opportunity. He is very good at sneaking in and grabbing the opportunity, as was evident from his two goals in the Confederations Cup final last year.

While Brazil’s starting line-up may have Neymar and Hulk, two players who have a reputation for scoring goals, the fact that they play on the wings means that Fred must take on the responsibility and be clinical for Brazil to be at their best. For any team that performs well enough to win the World Cup, an in-form striker is an absolute necessity.

Scolari has come out saying that Fred is a potential candidate for being the captain if Silva is out, which reinstates the fact that Scolari wants Fred to be at the top of his game.