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Brazil will go in to this summer’s World Cup as most bookmakers’ second favourites for the trophy. For generations, the Brazilian national side have been regarded as the world’s premier football team, a side synonymous with beauty, finesse, flair, grace and most importantly of all, success. Unfortunately, ‘success’ tended to elude Brazilians when taken out of their perceived ‘comfort zone’, with many Brazilian players thought to be unable to bring their domestic and national side form into English club football.

Fast forward to 2010, and it seems as though the perception of Brazilian players as ‘fair-weather’ footballers no longer exists; Spurs’ impending signing of Internacional anchorman Sandro means that there will at least twelve Brazilian players plying their trade in the Premier League next season, meaning that all but two of last season’s top seven sides will feature at least one Brazilian within their ranks. Finally, it seems as though top Premier League teams are benefitting from Brazilian talent, but how has this happened?

Whilst the 1990s success of the likes of Romario, Ronaldo, Cafu and Aldair proved that Brazilian players could adapt to European football in Spain and Italy, the prevalence of Brazilian talent within English football was scarce during the same period. For better or for worse, (with the exception of Middlesbrough’s little playmaker Juninho) Brazilian players were regarded as erratic luxuries, unable to handle the physical rigours and weather of football in England. In 1987, Mirandinha became the first Brazilian to play football in the English league, after signing for Newcastle United for £575,000. Whilst the midfielder has become somewhat of a cult hero upon Tyneside, many regard his time in England as one of a costly mistake, with his Newcastle tenure characterised by frustrating inconsistency and a string of injuries.

It was the north-east of England that again played host to Brazilian players during the 1990s, when Middlesbrough signed the trio of Branco, Emerson and Juninho. Although Juninho spectacularly succeeded in England, endearing himself to all observers of the Premier League, both Branco and Emerson vindicated English assumptions of South American players. One may consider the accomplishments of Juninho to be somewhat of an anomaly, due to the failure of similar Brazilian players to hit such heights in England.

With Denilson of Arsenal and Lucas Leiva of Liverpool making a combined total of 55 Premier League appearances between them last season, it is clear to see that Premier League sides are finally benefitting from the changing nature of Brazilian footballers. Neither player is blessed with what would one describe as the typical attributes of a Brazilian footballer – neither Denilson nor Lucas is renowned for their flair, or ability to shoot and dribble. With both being deployed as a holding midfielder the pair are heralded for the way in which they deal with the ‘ugly side’ of the game, eschewing traditional Brazilian panache in favour of tough tackling and positional discipline. Indeed, Liverpool fans jokingly ponder whether Lucas is actually Brazilian at all.

Aside from attempting to emulate the style of former Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva, both Lucas and Denilson are emblematic of the way in which Brazilians are adapting to English football, with their style mirroring the disciplined, hard-working manner in which national coach Dunga sets out his team.

Although 40 Brazilian players have plied their trade within the top flight since the inception of the Premier League in 1992, 25 of these have moved to England within the last four years. After years of being viewed as risky extravagances, it seems as though Brazilian players are finally settling in England.

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England coach Fabio Capello was pleased with the spirit his side showed as they sealed their place in the knockout stages of the World Cup finals with a 1-0 win against Slovenia.

England had looked sluggish in their draws with the USA and Algeria earlier in the tournament but were far sharper against a side that had taken four points from their first two group encounters.

Jermain Defoe scored the only goal of the match in the 23rd minute to end Slovenia's run in the competition.

After the victory, former AC Milan and Real Madrid coach Capello said:"We played together, fought together and I am really, really happy for the result.

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"This was the team that I know. This team can go forward. All the team, the coaches, their mind is free. We can go forward without fear, without everything."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he has spoken to Wayne Rooney and told the struggling England striker to relax and enjoy the World Cup.

Rooney has looked in poor form during England's disappointing 1-1 draw with the USA and dire goalless stalemate against Algeria as Fabio Capello's side have struggled in South Africa.

Rooney scored over 30 goals for Manchester United last season but does not appear to have recovered from the injuries that blighted him in the last few weeks of the domestic campaign.

Ferguson told The Sun:"Sometimes the expectation can be debilitating. I had that feeling. I spoke to Wayne Rooney and just said, 'relax and enjoy it.'

"I just sensed there was a tension in and around the camp from what I was hearing.

"I didn't watch the Algeria game, I was out with friends, but I just get a feeling that the expectation is affecting the England team.

"It's been a disappointing World Cup, but I had a feeling it would be. I have been disappointed with the quality levels, I haven't been impressed at all.

"The season we have in Europe, particularly in England, is tough.

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"The players met up about three to four days after the season finished and they have been together for most of that time, after a long, hard season.

"It's a real task to ask players to perform at the best level they can achieve after the season in England."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

West Bromwich Albion boss Robert Di Matteo believes Graham Dorrans would be better served staying at The Hawthorns rather than joining West Ham United.

The Baggies hit out at their London rivals earlier in the week after snubbing a third bid believed to be in the region of £5million for the Scotland international midfielder.

Dorrans himself has not asked for a transfer and is believed to be happy at the Midlands club following their return to the Premier League.

And it is here that Di Matteo believes his career will flourish.

"We have said it many times, put statements out, and we'll put another one out now. He's not for sale," Di Matteo told the Birmingham Mail.

"I'm not concerned about him though. It would be so much better for him to stay here and continue his education. That reflects the view of everyone here.

"He's an outstanding young player and there will always be talk about him.

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"It makes sense for him to stay here. He's got the respect of his team-mates and he has a management team which has belief in him – it's important for any player to have that.

"There is nothing absolutely in his manner or mood which worries us. He is totally focused. He's working hard and been very professional."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Striker Jason Roberts expects to leave Blackburn Rovers before the transfer window slams shut at the end of the month.

The 32-year-old has held talks with the club about his future prospects and accepts that he will have to move on sooner rather than later.

He told the Lancashire Telegraph:"It looks like I will be leaving the club. We have had discussions and mutually agreed it is time to move on.

"I have no pre conceived ideas about what will happen next and it would be wrong to talk about anything until there is something officially happening.

"Like I said, all I can say is we have reached a mutual decision where if there is a chance for me to move on then we would like to take that up. We will have to wait and see what happens.

"From my point of view I have had some good years here.

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"I have been part of some very good teams and am very comfortable with what I have done here."

Roberts has scored 22 goals in 117 appearances for Rovers since his arrival from Wigan Athletic four years ago.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Manchester United have included Owen Hargreaves in their 25-man squad eligible to play in the Premier League this season.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has decided to take a gamble on naming the England midfielder in the squad, which had to be submitted by 5pm on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old midfielder has made just one substitute appearance during the past two seasons following a lengthy battle with tendinitis and then surgery on both knees.

Hargreaves has spent the last six weeks in the United States where he is continuing his rehabilitation, but the former Bayern Munich midfielder has been included in the Old Trafford club's 25-man squad.

Speaking earlier in the month, Ferguson admitted he was still unsure whether to include the injury-plagued midfielder.

He said:"There is no limit on the number of players under the age of 21, so I have plenty of room for manoeuvre, with only one issue really.

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"That is whether I can afford to allot one of the 25 places to Owen Hargreaves as he continues to battle for full fitness.

"Once the squad is named, you cannot change until the next transfer window. It's crunch time this week."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

New signing Rafael van der Vaart sees no reason why Tottenham can't finish above north London rivals Arsenal this season.

The Netherlands international arrived at White Hart Lane in an £8million deadline day deal from Real Madrid.

He looks set to make his Premier League debut against West Brom on Saturday and has immediately thrown the gauntlet down to the Gunners.

The first north London derby of the season will take place at White Hart Lane on September 21 in the third round of the Carling Cup.

"Arsenal have a great team also, a lot of great young players," said van der Vaart.

"But I think our squad is not worse than Arsenal's, so I think we have a good chance to win against them.

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"And not only win the game against them but also, over the whole season, we can aspire to beat them."

Spurs finished five points adrift of Arsenal last season as they secured fourth place in the final Premier League table and qualified for the Champions League for the first time.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has confirmed that Lee Cattermole will remain in possession of the captain's armband despite his disciplinary problems this season.

Cattermole will return from his latest suspension against Liverpool on Saturday.

The 22-year-old combative midfielder has picked up two red cards in just four appearances this season.

But despite a turbulent start to his captaincy, Bruce has no plans to replace Cattermole as his on-pitch leader.

"I made a decision at the start of the season – and a conscious one – that he is the captain and I am going to stand by him," said Bruce.

"I was convinced it was the right thing to do when I gave him it, and after what has happened to him, I am still convinced that in the long term, Sunderland will benefit from Lee Cattermole being the captain of the club."

However, Bruce has told the former Wigan Athletic youngster that he must learn from his troubled start to the new campaign.

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He added:"There is this reputation that he has, unfortunately, and he has got to rid himself of it.

"The only way he can do that is by playing games regularly, staying on the pitch, keeping his nose clean and getting on with the game, which is the most important thing."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan has warned of 'civil unrest' should Tottenham Hotspur move into the Olympic Stadium following the London 2012 Games.

The Hammers were believed to be frontrunners to move into the stadium in nearby Newham when the games are over.

However, Spurs, who are currently looking building a new stadium, have also recently made their interest in the stadium known.

"It would be such a slap in the face to east London. If it happens, there will be real problems that could easily lead to civil unrest," Sullivan told the Daily Mail.

"I think there could be riots, such is the ill feeling between West Ham and Spurs and I know the police feel the same.

"I feel very let down by Tottenham. The way they do business is not right.

"They pinched Eidur Gudjohnsen off us after we brought him from Barcelona for talks (last season). He just disappeared from the hotel. And the way they unsettled Scott Parker (this summer) was appalling.

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"Now they want to move into our borough of Newham. How would they like it if we suddenly set up a new home in Haringey.

"I'm flabbergasted by the cheek of it."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

West Ham United boss Avram Grant branded the decision to deny his side a late penalty in their 2-2 draw at Birmingham City a 'farce'.

Grant was fuming after seeing Jean Beausejour's tug on Lars Jacobsen's shirt unpunished, with the Irons having earlier thrown away a two-goal lead set up by Frederic Piquionne and Valon Behrami.

He commented:"Harry Redknapp used the word farce about the decisions of a referee and I agree with him.

"The referee was five metres from the incident when the shirt of Lars was pulled and he did not give a penalty.

"I'm very disappointed because this is not the first time it has happened to us. Similar things have happened against Wolves, Stoke, Aston Villa, Bolton and Manchester United.

"What we saw from 50 metres, the referee could see from five metres and he needs to give a penalty. This is a farce.

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"Sometimes you don't see things, but this was in front of his eyes. I don't understand why he didn't give a penalty."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email