Top 5 Brazilians to watch this season

Brazilian football is well-known to have produced a galaxy of all-time greats who have written their names in the history books of world football. From Mané Garrincha and Pelé in the sixties, to Roberto Rivelino and Paulo Roberto Falcão in the seventies, moving on to Zico, Romário, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Ricardo Kaká and Neymar in the past three decades.

After a couple of years where the special talents seemed to have faded, Brazil's dryness is about to end with a new contingent on the verge of rising, as the 2018 World Cup is on the horizon. So, who are the Brazilians to keen an eye on in Europe's top leagues?

#5 Roberto Firmino

Firmino will be crucial to Liverpool's chances this season

Roberto Firmino has shown to be a very versatile option since his arrival to Liverpool in 2015, keeping himself under disposal to play at almost any position in the forward line. From the right flank to the left hand-side, he has occupied all positions when the Reds had lacked depth.

But with Egyptian star Mohamed Salah's arrival, the club is set to have two natural wingers which would finally allow the Brazilian to operate in his favourite position, as a central attacker, throughout the whole campaign.

With Jürgen Klopp making him the first-option penalty taker and with his new number nine at the back of his shirt, it seems that Firmino is set to enter the season with clear intentions in mind - to improve his goal-scoring stats. Despite being fundamental in Klopp's system, brilliant at setting-up his teammates and creating space with his good reading of the game and intelligent movement, a striker will always be judged by goals - especially by English media.

#4 Ederson

Manchester City shelled out a record fee to bring Ederson to English shores

Brazil has been in hunt of a great goalkeeper for a couple of years now, and with the World Cup on the doors, the number one spot is pretty much up for grabs at the moment. By joining English powerhouse Manchester City, Ederson automatically imposes himself as one of the most probable options to win the race to Russia.

Pep Guardiola is a big fan of the Brazilian, mainly for his ability to retain his composure under pressure, in order to play the right pass and maintain possession, instead of brainlessly clearing the ball wide at every occasion. Guardiola's system always relies on building from the back, and for that, a ball-playing goalie is fundamental to add.

Ederson is, however, far more than just someone who can pass the ball well. When it comes to quick reflexes and spectacular saves, the Brazilian is up there, as he has demonstrated during his spell with Portugal's champions Benfica, where he was voted as the league's best at his position.

All eyes will be set on the 23-year old. Will he be City's next Claudio Bravo, or will he prove to be the missing puzzle in Pep's plans?

#3 Gabriel Jesus

Can Gabriel Jesus step up to the plate for the whole season?

Gabriel Jesus completed his move from Palmeiras to Manchester City in January, and despite arriving in the middle of the season, the 20-year old still managed to score seven goals in barely ten league appearances. With a proper preseason this time around, and with a full season ahead of him, the Brazilian is ready to show the world how prolific he can be in front of goal.

His challenge will be to maintain his goalscoring form from last term, and to add a couple of assists to his tally in his quest to help City achieve silverware after a trophy-less debut season for the Pep Guardiola side. What makes Jesus special is his ability to drop deep, or even wide, in order to receive the ball, rather than sit in the penalty box and wait to be fed with crosses.

The Brazilian is very energetic, always looking to make himself available as a passing option, by his constant movement or his willingness to launch runs behind the back of defenders. With the World Cup a couple of months away, Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino will do their best to show their highest level in English football, in order to gain the privilege of wearing Ronaldo's iconic number nine shirt in Russia.

#2 Philippe Coutinho

Coutinho is arguably the most sought after player in the transfer window

With Liverpool preparing themselves to make their UEFA Champions League comeback, one player's future remains uncertain. As a matter of fact, this player happens to be their most important one, Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian is the subject of speculation in Catalan press, with Sport and Mundo Deportivo both confirming that FC Barcelona will do everything it takes to land the Brazilian, following his countryman Neymar's departure to Paris Saint Germain.

But one thing is sure, wherever Coutinho will be playing his football this season, the little magician will continue to shine and entertain millions of fans across the globe, with his skilful tricks, dazzling runs, creative through balls and sensational goals. It seems that Barça want the Brazilian to operate as wide-playmaker on the left-hand side, whereas Klopp seems him as a central midfielder who is responsible to organize play.

Two different clubs, with two different approaches, from two different managers. Coutinho will have to think very carefully before making his final decision.

#1 Neymar JR

Neymar will look to start a glittering new chapter of his career at PSG

You're right, it's Neymar! THE Brazilian to keep an eye on this season, and every season, is without any doubt, the Seleção's current number ten. Having been the subject of speculation linking him with a move from FC Barcelona to Paris Saint Germain, the Brazilian has effectively completed the swap, making him, by some distance, the most expensive player in football history, after the French capital-side triggered his release clause of €222 million.

Neymar is set to enter the season with three challenges in mind: to help PSG retrieve the Ligue 1 title after AS Monaco had grabbed it last term, to guide PSG as far as possible in Europe's elite competition, the UEFA Champions League, and last but not least, to accomplish his childhood dream of winning the FIFA World Cup with Brazil's national team.

That's going to be a lot easier said than done, and the Brazilian, who has received a lot of critics following his Barcelona departure, is aware of the pressure. But Neymar has, if anything, always proved to be up for the challenge, as he has so often shut all the voice of doubters by doing what he does best, and that is to reply on a football pitch.