Despite the fact that this past season wasn't up to his usual standards, Fred is Scolari's most logical choice for a No.9. Contrary to Brazil's past strikers who were usually plying their trade at the top clubs in Europe, Fred has spent just three seasons in Europe and the rest of his footballing career has been in Brazil.
Fred was the top scorer in the Confederations Cup last year with 5 goals from six matches and formed a highly effective partnership with Neymar. If he were to recreate the same efficiency he produced then, Brazil would indeed benefit and become a better team.
Fred's game is purely based on positioning himself correctly to receive the ball and then finishing it. Ever since the days of Ronaldo, Brazil have lacked a proper striker. Adriano was good for some time but he flattered to deceive.
While Fred is way off the level of Ronaldo, he certainly does possess an ability to score goals from proper situations without wasting the opportunity. He is very good at sneaking in and grabbing the opportunity, as was evident from his two goals in the Confederations Cup final last year.
While Brazil's starting line-up may have Neymar and Hulk, two players who have a reputation for scoring goals, the fact that they play on the wings means that Fred must take on the responsibility and be clinical for Brazil to be at their best. For any team that performs well enough to win the World Cup, an in-form striker is an absolute necessity.
Scolari has come out saying that Fred is a potential candidate for being the captain if Silva is out, which reinstates the fact that Scolari wants Fred to be at the top of his game.
