Brazil football writer James Young picks out the key men in Phil Scolari’s provisional squad and assesses their chances on home soil as they chase a sixth World Cup win.

BRAZIL

Who’s in (23-man final squad)

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Toronto FC), Jefferson (Botafogo), Victor (Atletico Mineiro)

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

Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Paulinho (Tottenham), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Ramires (Chelsea), Oscar (Chelsea), Willian (Chelsea), Hernanes (Inter Milan)

Forwards: Hulk (Zenit St. Petersburg), Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk), Neymar (Barcelona), Jo (Atletico Mineiro), Fred (Fluminense)

Who misses out

Many would have liked to have seen Miranda of Atletico Madrid get the nod over Napoli’s Henrique as fourth-choice centre back, while others thought that Philippe Coutinho deserved a shot as a midfield wild card.

Kaka and Robinho were the biggest names left on the outside looking in as Scolari went for youth and hunger over experience.

Biggest selection headline

Henrique. While the Napoli man has adapted reasonably well to Italian football in a short time, and decisively, was a key player when Scolari was in charge of Palmeiras in 2012, the howls of derision over his selection were loud. ‘It’s a terrible choice,’ said 1970 World Cup legend Tostao.

‘He’s an average to below average player. He’s not good enough for Brazil. Other than Henrique, there’s nothing that crazy on the list,’ tweeted ESPN journalist Leonardo Bertozzi.

Surprise package

Perhaps nippy winger Bernard, who will be itching to go after a frustrating first season with Shakhtar Donetsk. Scolari likes his versatility, and the fact that he plays ‘with joy in his legs.’ Chelsea’s Willian is someone who could play a bigger than expected role.

Danger man

Brazil will rely on Neymar to bring the magic, but Fred will be the one expected to provide a physical presence in the area and snaffle up whatever loose chances are going.

Architect

With Oscar neat and skilful but not a truly creative thinker, Brazil will rely heavily on Neymar’s electricity to unlock defences.

The Hatchet Man

Brazil don’t really have one, but Wolfsburg’s Luiz Gustavo is the team’s most understated player, calmly breaking up opposing attacks and short passing his way out of trouble. Marcelo can play the headless chicken role.

The verdict: Does this squad have what it takes to go all the way?

It remains a strong looking squad, though a lot, perhaps too much, will depend on Neymar’s ability to cast a spell up front. The Barcelona man aside, the side’s attacking options can look a little pedestrian, with domestic based strikers Fred and Jo unlikely to terrify too many top level defences, and no truly creative force in midfield, despite Oscar’s cleverness.

—Daily Mail