Zico: Chelsea’s Ramires should start over Spurs’ Paulinho

Ramires of Brazil pulls Oscar to the ground in celebration after his goal in the second half during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group A match between Brazil and Croatia at Arena de Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Brazilian legend Zico has called for Paulinho to be dropped in the wake of the World Cup hosts’ sluggish start to their home tournament, feeling that he is the root of their lacklustre start to proceedings. Zico also believes that Ramires should replace him.

Paulinho has endured a poor first season in England after struggling to to live up to his £17million transfer fee since signing for Tottenham Hotspur last summer, and rumours have suggested that he could be on his way out of the club already, despite the players protestations to the contrary.

His poor form has continued into the World Cup, with former Spurs boss Tim Sherwood claiming Paulinho was the problem in Brazil’s opener and Zico is the latest to stick the boot into Paulinho, claiming that La Selecao would be better off dropping him to field Ramires in his more natural central berth in order to inject some energy into the tournament hosts.

Zico told the Guardian, “Paulinho once again had a game to forget against Mexico.

“He is a problem now because he is a shadow of the player who last year proved so important in creative and defensive duties.

“Paulinho should have made way for Ramires in the middle and Willian could have been an option to replace Hulk on the right. I really don’t understand why Scolari tested the Chelsea man in training and in friendlies, but then didn’t summon him for the Mexico game.

“Paulinho had a tough season at Tottenham and it’s blatantly clear that he lacks rhythm and confidence. He is not as incisive as he used to be.”