Confederations Cup 2013: Players to watch (Part 1)

The Confederations Cup 2013 is here and Brazil gets ready for a glimpse of the football that will be in full swing next year. Let’s have a look at the players to watch out for through the tournament.

Brazil

Neymar, Barcelona (Forward)

He has the tricks, the multi-million dollar sponsorship deals, the recent big money move to Barcelona along with the media buzz and hype; but all of that will count for nothing if the ‘most marketable athlete in the world’ falls flat in the famed yellow shirt of Brazil.

This year will mark the beginning of a new and more challenging phase for Neymar; he will turn out for Barcelona next season after his €57 million transfer, a new environment and one where the level of football is obviously a huge step up from the Brasileirao. And then, there’s the pressure of delivering the World Cup for football crazy Brazil after the disappointments of the two previous editions.

There is no questioning the talent of Barcelona’s newest acquisition; however, the terms ‘overrated’, ‘over-hyped’ and the like have been aimed at his feet in the last year or so after his failure to replicate his brilliant form for the national side. His performances at the last Copa America and the London Olympics didn’t help matters either. There are some elite teams in the fray in the Confed Cup and the tournament presents him with the chance to show everyone that he can cut it at the highest level.

Hernanes, Lazio (Attacking Midfielder)

The Lazio man will be a key component for the Brazilians as he is the one true playmaker in the side. While Oscar is very good in moving forward with the ball and initiating the neat one-two’s, it is Hernanes who will be key to Brazil having good possession. He is good with both feet and has the ability to spray the ball out wide to stretch the play. He also has a good and powerful shot on him. He has struck up a nice partnership with Miroslav Klose at Lazio, and will be looking to develop a similar understanding with Fred and Neymar.

David Luiz, Chelsea (Centre-back)

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has partnered Luiz with captain Thiago Silva in most of the friendlies. Luiz has great skill on the ball, but his defensive capabilities have been found wanting at times with the odd mistake often seen from the bushy-haired defender. He will come up against some of the best attacks in the world at this event and how he fares could determine whether he starts the World Cup on the field or on the bench. It’s also an opportunity for him to show new Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who we hear is not entirely convinced about the Brazilian, his ability to hold his own in that position.