Monday 11 March 2013

Ramires: Assessing His Development at Chelsea and Importance to Brazil

Assessing the development of Chelsea star Ramires is always going to be a difficult task, with the Brazilian prone to playing several roles in the course of a match, let alone a season.

He is, though, widely regarded as having been a highly influential player for the Blues in their FA Cup and Champions League victories of 2011-12, even if he has been forced to rotate his starting spot this campaign.

When he was brought in for £17 million in 2010, there was talk of Ramires playing as an "enforcer" in the Chelsea midfield (via the Telegraph). Naturally, the Brazilian has always been more of a box-to-box player than enforcer.

This initial adaptation led to early mistakes and a slow start in Chelsea colours, but he was soon moved into his preferred role, and he began to contribute to the West London side in all areas.

His stamina and speed made him a particularly valuable weapon on the counter attack to complement his all-around midfield play.

His physical attributes and tactical discipline, though, have meant he has since had to sacrifice his favoured role for the sake of the team on a semi-regular basis.

Under the management of Roberto di Matteo, at the end of the 2011-12 season, it was on the right wing that the Brazilian found himself most regularly employed. Once more, though, he got on with his job and was highly influential to the team's overall dynamic from the role.

It is Ramires' greatest attribute. He could play in almost any position on a football pitch and make a reasonable attempt at doing so. It does mean, however, that he is often seen as the most dispensable starting option when a new player is to be incorporated.

In his time at Chelsea, the "Blue Kenyan" has seen his greatest improvements in the mental side of his game. He is a stronger character for his adaptation, he is a more composed presence in big games and has shown that he can thrive under intense pressure.

Prior to his arrival, besides adding some upper-body strength, he was undoubtedly already a technically gifted player with fine physical attributes.

So, what of his role for Brazil?

Ramires has the potential to be a crucial figure for Brazil at the 2014 World Cup but not in the Selecao's current setup.

Brazil have operated in recent games with Paulinho and Ramires, two box-to-box runners, in a two-man central midfield partnership. Performances have been indifferent and there will likely be changes in coming games.

The dilemma for Brazil manager Luiz Felipe Scolari is that playing the duo together inhibits both players' natural game—similar to how Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard have suffered together for England.

What is needed, perhaps, is a three-man midfield that would free up Ramires to push forward on the counter attack.

It was in this role that Dunga utilised Ramires in 2010, the World Cup in which the Chelsea man shot to wider prominence. Tucked in on the right, his shuttling role was crucial to Brazil's pragmatic setup at the time.

But for a dire 45-minute spell against Netherlands, the Selecao had enjoyed little but success in the proceeding four-year turn. Success, though, was not to be.

Perhaps, then, it is as this third-man in midfield that Ramires' strength best lies. When restricted to a solely defensive role, he is not the ideal candidate, even if he is more than capable in the position. He is best when able to use his directness at both ends of the pitch.

There is much then for Scolari, as well as whoever eventually takes the permanent managerial position at Chelsea to consider. Ramires may at times appear ungainly and even clumsy, but he has proven to be a highly influential player when he has most been needed.

Ramires' lack of polish may rarely see him placed among the world's best central midfielders. However, he has consistently displayed that he should never be underestimated on even the biggest stage.

In Brazil's planning for the 2014 tournament, there is little doubt that Ramires should be one of the first names on the team sheet. Leave him out, and they could live to regret his absence.

Read more Chelsea news on BleacherReport.com

~Bleacher Report - Chelsea~

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