REACTION TO SCOLARI'S BRAZILIAN WORLD CUP SQUAD

D. Ray Morton, 7th May 2014.

"Big Phil" has thought long and hard about his squad selection and the verdict is in

World Cup hosts and bookmakers' favourites Brazil named their squad for next month's finals today. Luiz Felipe Scolari has opted mainly for players who were involved in last summer's Confederations Cup triumph where they ran out 3-0 winners in the final against World Cup defending champions Spain. Here is the squad list in full:

Goalkeepers

Julio Cesar (Toronto FC), Jefferson (Botafogo), Victor (Gremio).

Defenders

Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Maicon (Roma), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Maxwell (Paris St. Germain), David Luiz (Chelsea), Thiago Silva (Paris St. Germain), Dante (Bayern Munich), Henrique (Napoli).

Thiago Silva, captain and key centre back for the Brazilians

Midfielders

Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Paulinho (Tottenham), Ramires (Chelsea), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Oscar (Chelsea), Willian (Chelsea), Hernanes (Inter Milan), Bernard (Shaktar Donetsk).

Fernandinho's move to Manchester City has done wonders for his international selection prospects
 

Attackers

Fred (Fluminense), Neymar (Barcelona), Hulk (Zenit St. Petersburg), Jo (Atletico Miniero).

There are arguably two surprises in their defensive selection. Very few would have expected Napoli's Henrique to feature but Scolari has worked with him at Palmeiras in the past and trusts his level of ability. Maicon's inclusion is another eyebrow-raiser considering he left Manchester City last season deemed past his peak and surplus to requirements.

Can Maicon still cut it the highest level? Scolari seems to think so

There are some notable exclusions at the back. Paris St. Germain duo Alex and Marquinhos have been snubbed. The former has enjoyed a great season in France and has formed a fine defensive partnership with national captain Thiago Silva. Scolari might have been wise in selecting him ahead of Dante whose form with Bayern Munich has really declined over the past couple of months. Also, Atletico Madrid's Miranda and Roma's Leandro Castan have been overlooked despite having outstanding campaigns at club level.

What more could Miranda have possibly done this season to be selected?

The midfield appears to have something of a "premface" bias towards it with five English-based players in the eight midfielders selected. Willian and Fernandinho find themselves there when it would have been unthinkable for them to be selected when they played at Anzhi Makhachkala and Shaktar Donetsk respectively. Playing in the Premier League does wonders for your chances of international selection (unless you're Spanish), not even so much in improving one's standard but to actually get noticed.

Joining Scolari's old club is a very good way to get noticed for the national team as Willian has found out

One eastern European-based player who is going is young Bernard, however. Another Shaktar recruit, the tricky playmaker has been brought along as, perhaps, an impact sub. The 21 year-old should consider himself very fortunate to have been picked ahead of "the two Lucases", Leiva of Liverpool and Moura of PSG. AC Milan's Kaka and Liverpool's Coutinho have also been left out in the cold.

Brazil's attack will rely on the qualities of Neymar with Fred and Hulk likely to start alongside him

The forward selection is probably about as expected with Scolari not bothering to opt for  Ronaldinho, Pato or Robinho who would have only made the seleção on past reputation alone. Granted, Ronaldinho has been awarded the South American player of the year (S.A.-based players only) but perhaps Scolari feels that his 34 year-old legs would not cut it at what will be a gruelling tournament which will require stamina the former Balon d'Or winner no longer has.