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Thursday 19 May 2011

Fred and Thiago Neves Recalled to Seleção

Mano Menezes named his Brazil squad today, ahead of the upcoming friendlies against Holland (4th June) and Romania (7th June). The main surprise is the inclusion of Fluminense striker Fred, who has not represented his country since returning to his homeland from Lyon. Thiago Neves, who has been in excellent form for Flamengo, is another new face under Menezes.

Right said Fred; the Fluminense striker is back in the Brazil squad.

The full squad is as follows;

Júlio César (Internazionale)
Jefferson (Botafogo)
Fábio (Cruzeiro)
Victor (Grêmio)

Daniel Alves (Barcelona)
Maicon (Internazionale)
André Santos (Fenerbahçe)
Adriano (Barcelona)
Lúcio (Internazionale)
Thiago Silva (Milan)
David Luiz (Chelsea)
Luisão (Benfica)

Elias (Atlético Madrid)
Sandro (Tottenham Hotspur)
Lucas Leiva (Liverpool)
Ramires (Chelsea)
Henrique (Cruzeiro)
Anderson (Manchester United)
Elano (Santos)
Lucas (São Paulo)
Thiago Neves (Flamengo)
Jádson (Shakhtar Donetsk)

Neymar (Santos)
Robinho (Milan)
Nilmar (Villarreal)
Leandro Damião (Internacional)
Alexandre Pato (Milan)
Fred (Fluminense)

The core of Menezes' young squad, then, remains firmly in place; the likes of Lucas Leiva, Thiago Silva, Neymar, David Luiz, Ramires, Sandro, and Leandro Damião all look to have cemented their places in the seleção. Menezes has also kept faith with Jádson and Elias, despite their poor recent showings in the Brazil colours. In defence, Mano continues to favour André Santos at left-back, choosing to overlook the impressive form of Marcelo at Real Madrid. Other notable absentees include Hulk and Hernanes, both of whom have enjoyed excellent seasons at club level. Despite the absence of Paulo Henrique Ganso, there is no place either for Kaká.

The huge 28-man squad will, in fact, gain one more member for the Romania game; Ronaldo Fenômeno is scheduled to make one final appearance for Brazil at the Pacaembu. He is likely, however, to be handed only a cameo role; Menezes has stated that he views the game as important preparation for the Copa América in July.

(Photo credit; Cleber Mendes.)

4 comments:

  1. I'm trying to cast my mind back, with little luck, to the way Fred played when he was at Lyon. Is he the sort of striker who operates well on his own, and as a sort of pivot for onrushing wide attackers? It seems that this is the sort of player Menezes is looking for and, correct me if I'm wrong, why he's placing so much stock in Leandro Damião.

    Do you think there's any chance of Luís Fabiano playing his way into this squad, as he is very much that sort of striker.

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  2. I think that's right... he's a strong presence, one who tends to hold his position at the centre of attack and is comfortable playing with his back to goal.

    I think Leandro Damião is slightly more dynamic, but they're not all that dissimilar... both would provide a good focal point for the likes of Neymar & Robinho to work off.

    As for Luís Fabiano, the door isn't necessarily closed. If he does well for São Paulo there could still be space for him in the squad, I think.

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  3. Cheers!

    Regarding Damião, I've just read in the Italian press that Roma and Juve are interested. It seems he has a hefty buyout clause, however. Is it quite normal in Brazilian football to slap an enormous buyout clause on the brightest prospects, and are these fees actually paid by European clubs?

    Also, what's happened to Fernando Cavenaghi? Has he been displaced by Damião or does Falcão play them together?

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  4. High buyout clauses are pretty common. They're not always met, but can serve to put off speculative bids/unwanted interest from abroad.

    Cavenaghi hasn't really done anything since his arrival; can't get in the team, has only scored once or twice. Very disappointing.

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