Selection Special: How Many Of England's Best Would Make The Brazil Team?

It is one of the most romantic international fixtures around. The fathers of football versus the idealists. The English grit takes on the Samba beat. They may only have made the quarter-finals of the last World Cup, but there is little doubt that both England and Brazil will be listed amongst the favorites for next summer's showpiece in South Africa.

So, with the aesthetes and the purists set to do battle in Doha, Goal.com wondered what a combined England/Brazil team would look like. The outcome is pretty interesting.

GK: Julio Cesar (Inter & Brazil)

One of the easiest selections. England's goalkeeping situation is the source of much consternation ahead of next summer's World Cup, with no standout glovesman stepping forward. Not so for Brazil, who have arguably the best keeper around in Inter's rock-solid Julio Cesar. The 30-year-old has 40 caps for the Selecao, and is a key figure in Jose Mourinho's all-conquering Nerazzuri side.

RB: Maicon (Inter & Brazil)

Another Inter star, the muscular full-back edges out an as-yet comparatively unproven Glen Johnson, and more down to form, also skips in ahead of countryman and Barcelona treble-winner Dani Alves for the right-back slot. Strong, quick and dynamic going forward, he lays on chance after chance for his side, as well as retaining his defensive strength. Has recently been linked with a move to Manchester City, but they would need to really break the bank to land the 28-year-old.

Perhaps a surprise choice, the Milan man edges out his cross-town neighbor Lucio, and the beleaguered Rio Ferdinand on current form, after enjoying a solid start to his Serie A career. He only has two caps, but his performances for Milan (and before that for Palmeiras) should ensure that he adds plenty more.

CB: John Terry (Chelsea & England)

England's captain. Chelsea's captain. John Terry's inclusion, particularly with current form in mind, is a no-brainer. His never-say-die attitude and leadership qualities are well-publicized, but he is also enjoying one of his finest runs of form currently, scoring the winning goal against Manchester United last time out. A doubt for tomorrow's game with an achilles strain, but a shoe-in for this side.

LB: Ashley Cole (Chelsea & England)

Steven Gerrard recently described him as "the best left-back in the world", and though his title as the least popular is far easier to confirm, few could argue that there are many better, either. Brazil's lack of a standout performer in this position since Roberto Carlos' international retirement makes Cole's selection easier, but his form for Chelsea over the past two seasons make him an automatic choice. Will miss tomorrow's game with a depressed fracture of his tibia, but will be a massive part of Capello's plans next summer.

CM: Felipe Melo (Juventus & Brazil)

Something of a journeyman, even at the age of 26. Melo has already had eight clubs in a nomadic career, but seems to be hitting his peak in Italy, now in Turin with Juventus. A strong, mobile, left-footed holding midfielder with a propensity to get forward and shoot powerfully, the former Fiorentina man pips the likes of Owen Hargreaves, Michael Carrick, or most realistically, Gareth Barry, due to his form over the past 12 months, including an impressive showing at the Confederations Cup this summer.

CM: Frank Lampard (Chelsea & England)

It is incredible to think that, not so long ago, fans were calling for Lampard to be dropped by his country. Chelsea fans know his true value, though: he is their fifth highest all-time goalscorer (from midfield), and averages 20 goals a season over the past five years. Ruled out tomorrow with a thigh injury that could keep him out for three weeks, but Lampard will be one of the big players at the World Cup - an opportunity he may see as his last to contribute for his country on the biggest stage of them all while still in his prime.

RF: Alexandre Pato (Milan & Brazil)

When Dunga named his squad for this friendly, the omission of Pato was certainly the biggest surprise of all. The 20-year-old is carrying Milan's attacking threat almost single-handedly at the moment, with a virtuoso performance in their epic win over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu being the standout. Diminutive in size, but not in stature, 'The Duck' has all the tools at his disposal to become a world great.

CF: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United & England)

England's ace in the pack. Rooney has stepped into the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from Manchester United with relish, and his performances for England are at an all-time high. His prolific record in World Cup qualification shows how much he is enjoying life under Capello, and he is one of the few players England have who can match the Brazilian level of technique.

LF: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool & England)

Tough to omit Kaka, but in terms of form over the past 12 months, Gerrard gets the nod. Last year's Football Writers' Player of the Year is another who will miss out tomorrow, left behind due to a groin problem which has restricted him to just 70 minutes of action in the last month. Gerrard has reveled in a new, free role from the left of midfield under Capello, and was recently described by none other than Zinedine Zidane as "the best player in the world". Praise indeed.

ST: Luis Fabiano (Sevilla & Brazil)

La Liga's sole representative, 'O Fabuloso' is regularly linked with big-money moves away from Sevilla, but his form rarely seems to struggle. Prolific since his move from Porto, where he endured a torrid time, Fabiano has established himself as the heir to Ronaldo for Brazil, nudging ahead of inconsistent stars such as Adriano, Vagner Love and Jo. His record at international level - 25 goals in 34 caps - puts his England contemporary, Emile Heskey, to shame.

Julio Cesar

Maicon   Thiago Silva   Terry   Cole

Lampard   Melo

Pato   Rooney   Gerrard

Fabiano

And so five of England's finest squeeze into this XI, and maybe Ferdinand's full fitness and form would tip the balance in England's favor, then they'd be better than Brazil - not a bad place to be going into a World Cup.

Chelsea, with three representatives all from England, top the billing from a club standpoint. Inter, Milan and Juventus see to it that Serie A is a very well-represented league on behalf of Brazil, and with all of England's players being in the Premier League, the two of them tie with five representatives each, while La Liga - being newly dubbed the world's best - has just the one. Not a Barcelona or Madrid player in sight, though Kaka and Dani Alves may have something to say about that.

Very little of this will come to matter when they play each other tomorrow in Doha, much less if they meet at the big one in South Africa this coming summer, but England edging ever closer to Brazil sure gives every football fan that thought they knew it all something new to think about...