Manos first Brazil squad: Neymar, The Goose and the Duck all in

NIKE have already released an advert celebrating Neymars call-up.

(By Paul Morrissey)

Europe-based players wont be picked just for playing in Europe.

Kaka and Fabigol would be advised to up their games for their respective clubs this season. That was the underlying theme of Mano Menezes official presentation as new manager of the Selecao yesterday. In the case of Fabiano, an ever-present under Dunga, his fledgling fling with the coveted number 9 shirt may not go beyond first base. His stock surprisingly rose following an average World Cup; he scored 3 goals, so did a Slovakian named Vittek. Vittek even scored a wider range of goals: the irrational overvaluing of Brazilian players knows no bounds.

Even if not too much should be read into a first friendly squad selection, not least because of the shoe-horned timing, the predicted shift towards a greater emphasis on the Brasileirao is evidential from Manos squad of 23. 11 ply their trade in Brazil, with 13 overseas.

Dungas first squad - for reference - was heavily lopsided with players from the Old Continent; 17 - 5 (22) in favour of the expats.

Perhaps wisely, Mano has elected to take only one player, Jucilei, from the team he was still managing until Sunday, thus diplomatically avoiding early accusations of nepotism.

Felipe Melo, who was forced into hiding by hysterically dissafected torcedores who set fire to his home, doesnt feature and might ultimately incarnate the dreaded scapegoat for his vuvuzela-aided O.G. and red card in South Africa 2010.

Of the other stand-out choices, Rafael, David Luiz, and Pato will be looking to go the distance to 2014.

! Now we k now that we win and lose with or without a party atmosphere

Striking a balance between Parreiras 2006 craque-indulgent Weggis partyzone and Dungas boot camp will be the key to Manos success. Scolari proved in 2002 that it is achievable, loosely incorporating a tactical system around a combination of disciplined leaders ( Lucio, Roberto Carlos, Cafu, Emerson*) and liberated mavericks (3 Rs).

The players couldnt speak highly enough of Dunga in the face of the baying press, constantly coaxing damnations in a bid to oust their tormentor. They ignored the critics and were growing steadily into the tournament, but on the evidence of their bizarre quarter final defeat, the sheer intensity of the 2010 camp left them devoid of any panache when it was most needed.

The selection of the four dancers from Santos, Ganso - Neymar - Robinho - Andr; the Quarteto Santstico, has been prematurely hailed as a call to all-out attack. Only when they all feature can any credence be offered to that.

As for the boy Neymar, hes frankly not bowled over by the Quarteto Santstico - four is fine, but six Santos players would be better.

I want Arouca and Wesley to also have a chance, Im hoping to see them in the next squad.

Easy now, keep your feet on the ground lad. Just as well Dunga wasnt around to hear that

* Injured but remained influential squad captain

Meet the new-look Selecao for USA V Brazil August 10:

Goalkeepers: Victor (Grmio), Jefferson (Botafogo) e Renan (Ava)

Full backs: Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Rafael (Manchester), Andr Santos (Fenerbahe) Marcelo (Real Madrid)

Central defence: David Luiz (Benfica), Henrique (Racing Santander), Rver (Atltico Mineiro) Thiago Silva (Milan)

Defensive midfield: Hernanes (So Paulo), Jucilei (Corinthians), Ramires (Benfica), Sandro (Internacional) Lucas (Liverpool)

Midfield: Carlos Eduardo (Hoffenheim), derson (Lyon) Ganso! (Santos )

Forwards: Pato (Milan), Robinho (Santos), Andr (Santos), Neymar (Santos) Diego Tardelli (Atltico Mineiro)

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