As Kaka mulls over the possibility of joining Manchester City for the tidy sum of £100m, we look at the best and worst Brazilians ever to grace our football pitches.

Top 5 best Brazilians to play in the Premiership

5 Elano, Manchester City

One of Sven Goran Eriksson's early signings, Elano quickly stamped his authority on the Premier League scoring several spectacular goals and emerging as one of best creative midfielders in the league. Signed from Shakhtar Donetsk for £7m his performances under Mark Hughes' tenure have been disappointing compared to last season, but he has still shown flashes of brilliance.

4 Geovanni, Hull City

In 2000 the young Geovanni was seen as one of the hottest prospects for the future of Brazilian football. He then had spells at Barcelona and Benfica before joining Manchester City in the summer of 2007. Apart from scoring the winner in the Manchester derby, his chances were restricted at City, usually appearing as a substitute. Then in the summer Phil Brown performed a masterstroke bringing him to Hull and the rest is history as Geovanni has dominated ever since.

3 Robinho, Manchester City

Robinho had all but signed for Chelsea when Manchester City suddenly became the richest club in the world and came in for the Brazilian at the last minute. This year the former Real Madrid player has been sensational, as one of the most exciting players in the league. He has scored bundles, and embodies the new era that Man City are embarking upon.

2 Gilberto Silva, Arsenal

One of the few Premier League players to have won a World Cup, Gilberto was a rock in the heart of the Arsenal midfield. In his six-year spell with the Gunners, the former captain won the title as well as two FA cups. One of the most versatile players in the league, Arsenal have missed him dearly this season.

1 Juninho, Middlesbrough

In the summer of 1995, a 22-year-old Brazilian wonder kid called Juninho was linked with all the big European teams. Bizarrely he snubbed moves to various Spanish and Italian giants and instead signed for Middlesbrough. Teesside went crazy. In his time in the north east, the little Brazilian became one of the most adored players in Middlesbrough's history, taking them to an FA cup final. Juninho was so enamoured with his adopted home that he later returned for two more spells, tearing sides apart with his samba skills and electric dribbling.

Top 5 worst Brazilians to play in the Premiership

5 Afonso Alves, Middlesbrough

Apart from looking uncannily like Chow Yun-Fat, (are they actually the same person?) Afonso Alves is good at very little else. He cost Middlesbrough a whopping £12m last January and has blazed chance after chance over the bar since then. Everyone thought he was going to be amazing after he bagged two against Manchester United last season, but he has failed to perform ever since. His biggest problem is that he can only play football for an hour before he runs out of steam, only finishing eight league matches this season.

4 Lucas, Liverpool

More at home making daisy-chains in the centre circle with Yossi Benayoun, the young Brazilian has looked out of his depth ever since he arrived at Anfield. Benitez must be gutted that he spent £8m on a player who can't tackle, pass or shoot. To be a centre-midfielder you need to be good at least one of these. Unfortunately for Liverpool, Lucas fails on all three counts.

3 Gomes, Tottenham

Five clean sheets in 21 games is fairly woeful for a team that not too long ago was banging on the door for a Champions League place. For PSV he was brilliant, stopping everything. Spurs saw this and snapped him up. Unfortunately those crafty Dutch failed to mention that the man catches like a six-year-old, earning the nickname Dodgy Gomes. Come back Paul Robinson, all is forgiven.

2 Claudio Cacapa, Newcastle United

So bad, he was forced to become a French citizen. The former Lyon captain signed on a free transfer for Newcastle, who still paid too much for him. The Magpies have conceded in every game the Brazilian centre-back has played in this season. Fortunately for the Newcastle faithful, Cacapa is currently injured so they might be able to put a few clean sheets together.

1 Roque Junior, Leeds United

Not many players trade the San Siro for Elland Road. When Roque Junior went to Leeds in 2003, great things were expected from him. After all anyone who has won the Champions League can't be that bad can they? Can they? In Roque Junior's seven games as Leeds centre-back they conceded 25 goals. He was also sent off on his home debut against Birmingham.