Brazil has produced many of the world’s greatest footballers, and has most successful national side of all-time. The country’s impact on football culture worldwide is seismic.
Yet, Brazilians have not always enjoyed their time at the centre of Premier League betting. Many have flopped. Others have proven to be no more than a one-season wonder.
For much of the Premier League era, the pace of play and physicality hasn’t been a conducive environment for the stereotypical Brazilian flair. Whether players like Kaka and Ronaldinho would have thrived has long been debated.
While the biggest Brazilian names haven’t always ventured to these shores, plenty of Seleção stars have shone in England’s topflight.
Here are our five greatest Brazilians in Premier League history...
David Luiz
David Luiz brought Brazilian flair to the centre of defence. Entertaining in the extreme due to his superb technical ability and knack for risk-taking, Luiz scored some screamers and had moments of insanity.
Across two stints with Chelsea and a brief time with Arsenal, Luiz was a Premier League winner, lifted the FA Cup on three occasions and won three European trophies (all with Chelsea).
A player divisive from his Premier League debut onwards, this could be a contentious pick, but Luiz has the golden combination of team success and individual ability.
Fernandinho
A five-time Premier League winner, there was no way Fernandinho could miss out here.
He was the thread linking separate eras at the Etihad Stadium, a stalwart connecting the Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero spell with the relentless winning under Pep Guardiola.
Industrious and renowned for his ability to break up play, Fernandinho is a far cry from the playmaking, trick-filled attacking players often associated with Brazil.
Neutrals weren’t switching on the TV to watch Fernandinho like they did for Juninho Paulista or even Philippe Coutinho, but he was an integral figure in multiple title-winning teams.
Fernandinho has announced he will leave Manchester City at the end of the season after nine years at the club.
— GOAL (@goal) April 12, 2022
With 11 major trophies to his name, he leaves as a club legend 💙 pic.twitter.com/U0Fdh7NwIh
Roberto Firmino
Roberto Firmino has moments of flair – his viral no-look finishes being one example.
But his game goes far beyond the much-retweeted showboating, with the vision and technique to be an excellent playmaker and quick feet to leave defenders baffled.
Most of all, though, Firmino arrived at Liverpool as the perfect central forward for the Jurgen Klopp era.
An intelligent and tireless presser, Firmino possesses the engine and technical ability to play that selfless central role, which allowed Sadio Mane and Mo Salah to thrive alongside him.
Fabinho
The Virgil van Dijk and Alisson signings are often associated with Liverpool’s betting chances improving. Fabinho, at times, can go under the radar. His presence is as important to Liverpool as anyone.
Disciplined, assured in possession and certainly capable of coping with the Premier League’s trademark physicality, Fabinho has been among the elite at his position for several seasons.
Still only 28, he’s only just beginning his peak.
🗓 #OnThisDay in 2018, Fabinho made his debut for the Reds.
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) September 18, 2022
🔴 179 appearances
⚽ 11 goals
🅰️ 7 assists
🏆 Champions League 2019
🏆 Super Cup 2019
🏆 Club World Cup 2019
🏆 Premier League 2019/20
🏆 League Cup 2022
🏆 FA Cup 2022
🏆 Community Shield 2022
What a player 😍 pic.twitter.com/KkRRgsR3MB
Ederson
This final place was a toss up between Ederson and Alisson. Arguments can be made for either, and Alisson has the edge with 55 Brazil caps to Ederson’s tally of 18.
The latter, however, has also played an additional season in the Premier League, reaching 188 appearances to Alisson’s 142.
Of course, Ederson also has the edge with four league titles to Alisson’s one and two PFA Team of the Year nods to Alisson’s lone selection.
Ederson, much like Fabinho and Alisson answered long-term problems for Liverpool, immediately transformed Manchester City defensively.
His combination of ball-playing and mobility made him the ideal sweeper-keeper for Guardiola’s team, and brought consistency to a position which was split between Claudio Bravo and Willy Caballero in the season prior to his arrival.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
FIRST PUBLISHED: 20th September 2022
