Tim Vickery has stated that West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta is the ‘joker in the pack’ for Brazil at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The 25-year-old will be heading to the Middle East later on this month to represent Brazil on the world’s biggest stage and South American football expert Tim Vickery added that the West Ham star is a certain starter in midfield, as he told Sky Sports News (07/11/22 at 5:25 pm).
Brazil boss Tite has named several Premier League players in his squad, including Manchester United duo Casemiro and Fred, Newcastle United’s new shining star Bruno Guimaraes and Liverpool’s hard-hitting machine, Fabinho.
If Brazil opts to go ultra-attacking, then they could use their star man and PSG forward, Neymar, behind their all-action front three.
But despite Paqueta having to compete with such high-level quality players for starting spots, it seems as though he will earn more minutes than most.
Brazil football expert Tim Vickery shared his thoughts on who could start for Tite in the middle of the park and the importance of someone like Paqueta.
On who will start: “The two in the midfield, the engine room, is Casemiro and Fred of Man United,” said Vickery. “Plus, Lucas Paqueta. He is an absolute certainty, assuming that he is fit.
“He’s their joker in the pack. They move him around in different positions – the only one of those who is vulnerable I think is Fred.
“The most attacking line-up Brazil have is with Lucas Paqueta playing the Fred role, playing as a second man in midfield. It’s a very bold way to play. But that’s one of the tactical formations that they have in their locker.”
BRAZIL FAVOURITES
Whilst fans dream of the Last Dance and are hopeful that two of the greatest of all time – Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi – meet in the World Cup final.
The likes of Brazil will be hoping to spoil the party because with the depth in quality they have, especially in the forward areas, they are one of the favourites to lift the whole thing.
The current holders France should also be thrown into that conversation, as well as Argentina, who are the current Copa America holders.
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