Ranking EPL Brazilians on International Duty

With the Premier League taking a break for the weekend, it was the turn of the international teams to provide the week's entertainment with several Brazilians impressing for their country.

The first international clash came against Australia at the Mane Garrincha stadium in Brazil before travelling to face Portugal at the Gillette Stadium in Boston, Massachusetts.

The Socceroos posed little resistance as the Selecao demolished them in a 6-0 victory with Atletico Mineiro's Jo grabbing the highlights in Fred's absence.

Portugal proved to be a tougher task but Luiz Felipe Scolari's side rallied back after an early setback courtesy of a Maicon howler and stormed to a 3-1 win to end the international week on a high.

5. Oscar

Sidelined for the match against Australia due to picking up an injury in training, Oscar started on the bench for the Selecao's visit to the United States.

The Chelsea star managed to shrug off his injury issues to come on as Ramires' replacement on the hour mark as Brazil were leading 3-1.

Initially deployed ahead of Paulinho and Luiz Gustavo, Oscar was then switched to a wide position with the introduction of Hernanes to the play.

With just half an hour to impress, Oscar made very little impact on the game and therefore enters the rankings in fifth place.

4. Julio Cesar

While not strictly a Premier League player as QPR were relegated last season, Julio Cesar is nonetheless included for consideration as he still plies his trade in England.

Ever-present as Scolari's trusted No.1, Cesar was very much a spectator in the first match as Brazil made short work of the Australians.

Other than a short spell in the first half that saw multiple corners conceded in quick succession, the Brazilian may as well have reclined in a deckchair for 90 minutes.

Portugal provided a sterner test for the Brazilian and notched a goal that Cesar had very little chance stopping after a mistake by Maicon.

Raul Meireles latched onto Maicon's attempted headed pass and turned the ball past a scrambling Cesar to open the scoring in Boston.

The goal aside, Cesar had very little to do over the course of the two games, and so he ranks ahead of Oscar but behind others who impressed more in the two internationals.

3. David Luiz

The Chelsea defender was given the nod ahead of Bayern Munich's Dante at the heart of the Selecao defence for the first game alongside captain Thiago Silva but was largely untroubled by the Australia attack.

With the Aussies camped deep inside their own half for long periods, the duo looked comfortable in possession of the ball in what was little more than a training session once they had opened the scoring.

Luiz engaged in a few of his usual forays forward, one of which resulted in a goal that was dubiously given offside against Bernard.

But the Brazilian didn't put a single step out of place and headed off to be replaced by Dante on the hour mark as part of a raft of substitutions.

Luiz continued his attacking tendencies against Portugal and was extremely unlucky not to get an assist as a sensational run ended with a cross into the six-yard box that Bernard was unable to turn in at the back post.

With two very solid games in defence coupled with several attacking forays, David Luiz was one of the more impressive performers on international duty and deserves his third placing.

2. Paulinho

Paulinho reprised his usual role under Scolari as he was deployed alongside Luiz Gustavo and Ramires in a three-man midfield against Australia.

Getting forward to great effect, Paulinho caught sight of the goal early on as a shot from a tight angle was blocked by Mark Schwarzer after an overlapping run past Neymar.

And Paulinho did his defensive duties as well, as a great tackle by the Spurs man allowed Brazil to counter swiftly for their second goal with Jo turning home Bernard's cross.

Paulinho was another player to be rested on the hour mark; Scolari substituted him for Lazio's Hernanes with the next friendly clash against Portugal on Wednesday in mind.

The Spurs star reprised his all-action role against the Portuguese and helped run the game from midfield as the Selecao overwhelmed their opposition.

His defensive work and box-to-box runs were vital to the Selecao cause, but the Brazilian was overshadowed by the man who finished at the top of the rankings and will have to be content with a second-place finish.

1. Ramires

The Brazilian midfielder impressed with his energetic display, showing his natural aggression in getting forward to support the strikers alongside fellow Premier League star Paulinho.

Deployed in a three-man midfield with Wolfsburg anchorman Luiz Gustavo and Paulinho, Ramires was given license to bomb forward against Australia.

A superb cross in the opening stages—whistling through the six-yard box without being tapped in—set the tone for the rest of the game as Ramires harried the Australian midfield.

His pressure told, and an excellent through ball that split the Australian defence set up Brazil's third as he released Neymar for a simple one-on-one finish past Schwarzer.

And the creator turned goalscorer after the break as he powered home Maxwell's lofted cross for Brazil's fourth of the evening.

The Chelsea star could have had a second just minutes later, but his low effort rebounded off the post from outside of the box, much to Australia's relief.

Ramires also delivered an accomplished performance against Portugal but was unable to make a direct contribution to the win.

However, on the strength of his display against Australia, Ramires is B/R's top Premier League Brazilian of the international week.