O/T Brazil World Cup Squad

kinell Big Phil names his squad already!!

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/07/brazil-world-cup-squad-luiz-felipe-scolari-selecao

A host of big names including Kaká and Philippe Coutinho have been left out of Brazil's World Cup squad, with coach Luiz Felipe Scolari opting for most of the players who won last year's Confderations Cup on home soil.

Striker Alexandre Pato, Paris Saint-Germain winger Lucas Moura, Liverpool's Lucas Leiva and 2002 World Cup winner Ronaldinho were also among the absentees. A total of six Premier League players – Tottenham's Paulinho, Manchester City's Fernandinho and Chelsea quartet Oscar, David Luiz, Willian and Ramires are included in the squad.

Scolari's 23-name list includes 17 players who were in the team that won last year's warm-up tournament by beating world champions Spain in the final.

Napoli defender Henrique was the only surprise inclusion in the squad, which will be aiming to win the title for a record sixth time. Henrique, who has played just 71 minutes at international level but worked under Scolari at Palmeiras, won out over Atlético Madrid's in-form defender Miranda and PSG's youngster Marquinhos for the spot as fourth central defender.

Scolari has guided Brazil victories in 13 of their last 14 matches and they are favourites to win the first World Cup to be played in Brazil since 1950.

The players will meet up on 26 May in Rio de Janeiro and play two friendlies against Panama and Serbia before opening their World Cup campaign against Croatia in São Paulo on June 12. Brazil will also face Mexico and Cameroon in Group A.

The squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Júlio César (Toronto FC), Jéfferson (Botafogo), Victor (Grêmio).

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

Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Paulinho (Tottenham), Ramires (Chelsea), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Oscar (Chelsea), Willian (Chelsea), Hernanes (Internazionale), Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk).

Forwards: Fred (Fluminense), Neymar (Barcelona), Hulk (Zenit St Petersburg), Jô (Atlético Mineiro).

No wonder they're favourites. Proper names for proper players, they'll play in hob nail boots and piss it.

Bernard is now my favourite player and is going to go on and be a world superstar.

 

Theres a Brazilian player called 'Creedence Clearwater Couto'

 

How the hell did he not pick Felipe Luis? He's been the most consistent and best Brazilian fullback this season.

 

Saw on SSN this morning Nigeria have picked theirs too. I didn't see the full thing but they listed English based players and Shawnie wasn't mentioned.

 

That cannot be the Jo who was a flop at Everton surely?

 

Say it aint so Jo??

 

He's the one who was at Man City.

 

Same person.

 

Same bloke innit?

 

He looked a class act I thought but could just never quite pull it off.

Maybe a bit contradictory but I know what I mean...

 

Doesn't strike me as the youngest of squads. But I guess Oscar and Neymar are still some way short of their peak.

 

Germany are the bookies' third favourites, ahead of Spain. Not totally convinced by their strikers, but there's a lot of attacking midfield talent there.

 

Only one Bender?

I'd have thought both Benders boys would have gone, that has shocked me,

Anyone know why they're only taking one Bender?

I'm assuming it 's Sven that 's been picked as he is the better Bender.

 

at Moyes

 

No Schweinsteiger in the Germany squad? He's only 29 and been fantastic for them in previous tournaments.

 

They're my choice after Argentina.

 

Sven's injured.

I notice there's no Schweinsteiger (nor Gomez, but that's hardly as significant).