Name: Ramires
Age: 27
Club: Chelsea
Position: Midfielder
Caps [goals]: 41 [4]
Ramires first moved to Europe from Cruzeiro in 2009 when he joined Portuguese outfit Benfica for around €7.5 million. A move to English club Chelsea followed in 2010 for a fee of three times that amount, and he has gone on to make well over 100 appearances for the Blues, helping them win the 2012 Champions League after a memorable goal against Barcelona in the quarter finals.
Why has he been selected?
Ramires has both experience and versatility, two facets held dear by head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and his team. He can be deployed as a holding midfielder or as a more attacking option in a 4-3-3 formation and is well known for having high stamina levels.
How has he played this season?
A typically solid campaign from the player, rarely headline-grabbing but always efficient at the same time. He again played his part as Chelsea reached the semi finals of the Champ[ions League, losing to Atletico Madrid in the process.
What will his role be in Brazil?
Scolari will likely start with a 4-2-3-1, using Paulinho and Luiz Gustavo as his two central midfielders. This could easily change though, be it for formation or injury reasons, and expect Ramires to force his way into the reckoning at some point in Brazil"s journey.
