After dedicating the first six months of his tenure to blooding the stars of the future in the Selecao, Menezes is starting to give some of the players who reached the World Cup quarter final in 2010 a chance to state their claim. The Verdeamarelho have a reputation for giving their a youngsters a chance to shine in the South American tournament, but will the ex-Corinthians boss continue the trend?
Goalkeepers:
On the Plane: Julio Cesar (Inter), Victor (Gremio)
In The Airport Lounge: Jefferson
Searching For Ticket: Gomes (Tottenham), Fabio (Cruzeiro), Diego Alves (Almeria)
Little Argument over Selecao Stoppers:
With Julio Cesar and Victor almost certain to play as first and second choice keepers, the only doubt remains over who will gain the last slot on the plane as the understudy. Inter’s Cesar has been inconsistent in recent games but is still without a doubt the most talented number one, while Victor has been impressive for the Porto Alegre outfit. Don’t be surprised if Cruzeiro captain Fabio’s experience tells in gaining him the final place.
Defenders:
On the Plane: Daniel Alves (Barcelona), David Luiz (Chelsea), Thiago Silva (Milan), Andre Santos (Fenerbahce)
In The Airport Lounge: Maicon (Inter), Luisao (Benfica), Lucio (Inter), Marcelo (Real Madrid)
Searching For Ticket: Mariano (Fluminense), Breno (Bayern Munchen), Miranda (Sao Paulo), Kleber (Internacional), Rafael (Manchester United)
Youth or Experience the Big Question:
There are unlikely to be too many surprises in the defenders Mano chooses to take over the border to Argentina, but the real decisions start when the first XI lines up against Venezuela for the first time in the Copa America. The coach must decide between dependable figures such as Lucio or the raw talent of David Luiz to anchor the defense; Miranda is a definite dark horse to make a back line which looks strong but is short on depth.
Midfielders:
On the Plane: Lucas (Liverpool), Sandro (Tottenham), Ramires (Chelsea), Elias (Atletico Madrid)
In The Airport Lounge: Elano (Santos), Jadson (Shakhtar Donetsk), Renato Augusto (Bayer Leverkusen), Paulo Henrique Ganso (Santos)
Searching For Ticket: Jucilei (Anzhi), Hernanes (Lazio), Ronaldinho (Flamengo), Henrique (Cruzeiro), Lucas (Sao Paulo), Kaka (Real Madrid)
Tough Choices Ahead for Midfield Maestros:
One of the toughest areas to narrow down a Brazil squad, Menezes’ choices depend heavily on the fitness of two players, creative geniuses Ganso and Kaka. If the now-returned Santos youngster can shine for his club in the three months before the Copa he will be a certainty in a team that conspicuously lack a spark at number 10. This would effectively end the chances of Ronaldinho to make the cut, but the Flamengo man will be hoping for the call if he can impress in the Rio club.
Elsewhere Elano seems to have fought his way back in contention and will have an excellent chance to make his case on Sunday against Scotland, as will young Atletico Madrid midfielder Elias.
Forwards:
On the Plane: Neymar (Santos), Alexandre Pato (Milan)
In The Airport Lounge: Robinho (Milan), Nilmar (Villarreal), Hulk (Porto)
Searching For Ticket: Andre (Bordeaux), Leandro Damiao (Internacional), Fred (Fluminense), Jonas (Valencia)
The Battle to Join Young Guns Neymar and Pato Heats up:
Barring disaster, Santos teenager Neymar and Milan’s Pato will be the young hit-men around which Menezes’ attack will be built, and the remaining Selecao frontmen will be battling for the chance to join them. Robinho’s pace and talent on the ball makes him a natural choice to fill one of the wide attacking positions in a 4-3-3 set-up, while there are several players who can battle for the backup number nine jersey.
Hulk has been in fantastic form for Porto and should provide a stiff challenge to the more experienced Nilmar when it comes to narrowing down the names for the Copa. An interesting wild card could be Jonas, who managed an astonishing 23 goal haul with Gremio in 2010 and could be leading the line against the Scots on Sunday.
Read more from the original source:
Ganso vs Ronaldinho, Maicon vs Rafael & The Samba Stars Fighting To Be In Brazil’s Copa America Squad