A number of Brazilian players have made the headlines this season, including the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Richarlison and Casemiro, who all made big money moves over the summer. The English top flight has seen a host of top class Brazilian players over the years and English sides have invested over £300 million during this summer’s transfer window on them.
Below we take a look at the all-time Brazilian XI in the Premier League. You can find the latest spread betting odds on the pinnacle of English football here.
Formation: 4-3-3
Goalkeeper: Ederson (Manchester City)
It was a hard decision to pick between two incredible shot-stoppers in the form of Ederson and Alisson. Both ‘keepers have been clear standouts in English football in recent years as Manchester City and Liverpool continue to dominate the Premier League.
Ederson and Alisson shared the golden glove last term, recording 20 clean sheets a piece, but the former will feel he got one over his Brazilian counterpart as he lifted the Premier League trophy, his fourth title since arriving from Benfica in 2017.
The two global stars will battle it out for the No.1 spot for Brazil as the 2022 World Cup in Qatar edges closer.
Right-back: Rafael da Silva (Manchester United)
There weren’t too many options for the right-back spot here but former Manchester United man Rafael occupies the position. He signed for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side in 2008, alongside his twin brother Fabio, and was tasked with filling the boots of Gary Neville, who had held the spot for over a decade.
Injury issues meant Rafael failed to nail down a regular spot in the side but he made a bigger impression than Fabio and had won three Premier League titles by the age of 23.
Centre-back: Thiago Silva (Chelsea)
Another current player makes the team as Chelsea’s Thiago Silva is the first entry at the heart of defence. The 37-year-old veteran has excelled, despite the physicality of the Premier League, proving that he really is one of the all-time greats.
He has proven his quality all over Europe, winning titles with Milan and Paris Saint-Germain, and has now shown what he can do in England, silencing critics. Thiago Silva finally won Europe’s top club football prize by helping Chelsea to their second-ever UEFA Champions League title in 2021, making up for his heartbreak with PSG a year prior.
Acquired as a free agent, he could go down as the best free transfer in Premier League history. Truly one of the elites.
Centre-back: David Luiz (Chelsea & Arsenal)
David Luiz had a tumultuous career during his time in England with both Chelsea and Arsenal. Often criticised for his rashness, David Luiz has had peaks and troughs throughout his career.
Sometimes in the headlines for questionable defending, he can, however, look back fondly at his performances during the 2016/17 season under Antonio Conte as he helped Chelsea to the title, being part of an elite three-man defence. He was named in the PFA Team of the Year that season too.
Left-back: Sylvinho (Arsenal)
Sylvinho’s time at Highbury was cut short due to the emergence of Ashley Cole but he will still be remembered for his 55 Premier League appearances with the Gunners from 1999-2001.
Known for his technical ability, he was perhaps one of the earliest versions of the modern day full-back and was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the 2000-01 season.
Central Midfield: Fernandinho (Manchester City)
One of the most consistent defensive midfielders of all-time, Fernandinho will go down as one of the Premier League greats, especially as a Brazilian. He signed for Man City from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013, winning five Premier League titles for the Citizens, playing under both Manuel Pellegrini and Pep Guardiola.
His importance was clear as he patrolled the midfield and protected the defence, allowing Pep’s fluid attacking football to blossom.
He also showed his goal-scoring ability too, providing 20 Premier League goals in 264 appearances. His offensive contributions dwindled towards the end of his career but his defensive impact never took a hit.
Central Midfield: Gilberto Silva (Arsenal)
Elite Brazilian defensive midfielders are pretty common and another comes in the form of invincible Gilberto Silva. He was often overlooked during his time with the Gunners but he played a pivotal role during the 2003-04 season, allowing his midfield partner Patrick Vieira to advance forward as Arsenal went the entire season unbeaten.
He made 244 appearances for Arsenal after signing off the back of a 2002 World Cup win with Brazil and also scored the first goal at the Emirates Stadium.
Central Midfield: Juninho (Middlesbrough)
A more attacking option to complement the midfield as Juninho Paulista makes the team. Known as “The Little Fella” by Boro fans, the signing of Juninho in 1995 came as a shock as he joined from Sao Paulo, despite being monitored by a number of top clubs around Europe.
He made a huge mark up in Teesside for Middlesbrough, winning Premier League Player of the Season for the 1996/97 campaign, contributing 12 goals in the league. He returned to Boro for a couple of different spells over his career but his first stint will be remembered the most.
Juninho also helped Middlesbrough win the League Cup in 2004, sealing his status as a cult hero in Teesside.
Right-wing: Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City & Arsenal)
Perhaps a little underrated at City, Gabriel Jesus has taken the new campaign by storm as he leads from the front for Arsenal. He was unable to nail down a regular spot in Pep Guardiola’s side but was still an important player in their squad, nonetheless.
He made a £45 million move over the summer to link back up with Mikel Arteta and has already scored three goals and assisted three in just six Premier League games so far this term. He has also shown important qualities in terms of pressing and link-up play.
Jesus is the second-highest Brazilian goalscorer in English top flight history with 58 goals and is also a four-time Premier League winner.
Centre-forward: Roberto Firmino (Liverpool)
The highest-scoring Brazilian in Premier League history had to make the team and he leads the line in this XI. Firmino signed for the Reds in 2015 from Hoffenheim and has played a key role as a false nine in Jurgen Klopp’s side, scoring 74 league goals in that time.
He has lost his starting position in the team over the last few years and is currently rivalled by new signing Darwin Nunez. However, the 30-year-old has made a great start to this season’s campaign, scoring three and assisting three in five Premier League appearances.
Left-wing: Phillipe Coutinho (Liverpool & Aston Villa)
Phillipe Coutinho was unbelievable at times for Liverpool which led him to a £142 million move to Barcelona in 2018. Things didn’t quite work out for him in Catalonia but Liverpool fans will look back fondly at his time at Anfield, especially since they were able to sell him for such a high fee. He shone at the start of Liverpool’s revival, scoring some incredible long range goals.
Signing on a permanent deal for Aston Villa over the summer, the 30-year-old still has plenty of time to reignite his career.
Substitutes:
Alisson (Liverpool)
Alex (Chelsea)
Lucas Leiva (Liverpool)
Ramires (Chelsea)
Fabinho (Liverpool)
Willian (Chelsea, Arsenal & Fulham) Richarlison (Everton & Spurs)
