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Fred: Why Brazil Striker Could Be Key to Their World Cup 2014 Hopes
Published: April 2, 2013
The former Lyon striker had a torrid time at the 2011 Copa America and appeared to have dropped completely out of the national team reckoning, with Internacional striker Leandro Damiao and AC Milan's Alexandre Pato seemingly the future of the selecao's No. 9 shirt.
Just a year on, though, and the powerful forward has leaped considerably ahead of his younger competitors. Now, with three goals in manager Luiz Felipe Scolari's opening three games with the national team, it looks like he will remain in pole position for the foreseeable future.
In actual fact, Fred has always been a good striker at club level. His goalscoring record throughout spells at America-MG, Cruzeiro, Lyon and Fluminense has been consistently impressive. However, without doubt, there has been a definite improvement with age.
Over the past two domestic seasons, the Fluminense captain has been an integral member of a successful Fluminense team and, having overcome previous fitness issues, has broken the 20-goal mark in both the 2011 and 2012 seasons.
There has also been an impressive development of the striker's game over that time. Age and maturity have seen Fred improve his hold-up play and bring those around him into play with increased frequency.
At Fluminense, his leading of the line and linking with the talents of Wellington Nem and Deco have been a major part of the team's success, perhaps more so than his goalscoring. It is in this aspect of his game that he is currently well ahead of both Pato and Damiao.
The thinking is clear. The selecao has lacked experience in attack in recent times and, with Kaka and Ronaldinho both well below past levels, it is now Fred who is carrying the mantle.
If he can bring Oscar and Neymar ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football
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