sport news Why Brazil's stars love playing in the Premier League - and do YOU recognise ... trends now
One of the first moves of Dorival Junior when appointed Brazil's head coach was to plan a trip to England.
Over the space of a week or so in February, he attended five games and visited the training centres of Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham and Fulham, where he spoke to fellow coaches.
And when the time arrived to select his first squad for friendlies against England on Saturday, and against Spain three days later, Dorival named 10 players from the Premier League.
Gabriel Magalhaes, who has since withdrawn from the squad, Andreas Pereira, Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro, Douglas Luiz, Joao Gomes, Lucas Paqueta, Gabriel Martinelli, Richarlison and Ederson, who has since been injured, were all chosen.
There might easily have been more, because fitness issues forced him to leave out Alisson, Joelinton, Gabriel Jesus and Joao Pedro.
Brazil boss Dorival Junior has a host of Premier League stars to chose from for the national side
Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson and Man United midfielder Casemiro are among the Brazilian stars playing in England
Gabriel Martinelli (pictured with partner Isabella Rousso) has been a huge success at Arsenal
It reinforces the feeling that Brazil's best have fallen in love with the Premier League. There are 33 players competing in the competition this season, and it has replaced Italy's Serie A and Spain's La Liga as the destination of choice.
It is a mark of quality. 'Like the NBA of football,' as Brighton's Joao Pedro tells Mail Sport. 'The best players, most of them are here and that makes it the most difficult league. That's why I like it so much. Every player aims to be here because of the level and the players involved.'
The feeling appears mutual. English clubs scour the Brazilian market in search of the best young talent and more could be on the way, including Fluminense's André and São Paulo's Pablo Maia, both named in Dorival's squad for Saturday's friendly at Wembley.
'I heard about an offer from an English club, and then another club inquired about a loan deal two windows back,' 22-year-old Maia told Mail Sport. 'The Premier League is played at the highest technical and intense level in the world, with players accustomed to the Champions League and World Cup.
'It's a league that we dream of, set as a goal. Whenever I can, I watch the games and analyse how players in my position perform.'
Mirandinha was the first to clear this path when he signed for Newcastle from Palmeiras in 1987, when it was still plain old Division One. Until then, Brazil's big-name players such as Zico, Socrates and Falcao had opted for Italy and Spain when they moved to Europe.
'England was something different,' says Mirandinha. 'When Newcastle really showed interest in me, I started looking what it was to live and play football in England. It was football that wasn't flashy.'
Brighton and Brazil striker Joao Pedro has described the Premier League as the NBA of football
The trail for Brazilians in England was blazed by Mirandinha, who joined Newcastle in 1987
Mirandinha (pictured with Paul Gascoigne) played for the Magpies for two seasons before returning to Brazil
Now 64 and a coach
