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Coutinho and Neymar strike fear into defenders... but Alves says it’s Jesus who England should dread the most

THEY form the attacking trident set to wow Wembley tonight.

And as if the prospect of lining up against Neymar and Philippe Coutinho is not daunting enough, Dani Alves has warned England’s rookies they will be facing “the new Ronaldo” in the shape of Gabriel Jesus.

Gareth Southgate claimed, after cruising to World Cup qualification two months ago, that England needed a tougher test. And a full-strength Brazil will provide the ultimate examination with Manchester City’s Jesus spearheading one of the most fearsome frontlines in football.

Alves, who has long waxed lyrical about the 20-year-old, said: “When I told you that for me Gabriel is the new Ronaldo, I wasn’t kidding.

“They have similar qualities. He will be one of the greatest players of all time.

“He’s already one of the best in the world.

“He’s in good hands, both in the national team and at Manchester City.”

Former Barcelona idol Neymar and Liverpool playmaker Coutinho will tonight join forces with Jesus, who has netted 14 times in 20 league games for Premier League table-toppers City since his £27million move from Palmeiras less than a year ago. He was also on the mark in Brazil’s comprehensive 3-1 defeat of Japan in France on Friday.

Paris Saint-Germain defender Alves, who will captain the side tonight, added: “Considering everything he’s already achieved, he won’t be feeling much pressure. “He will go on to prove – and has already proved – he is an amazing player.” The Brazil side galvanised by head coach Tite have racked up 10 competitive wins from 12 games over the last 15 months. They were easy winners of a 10-team qualifying group which included Uruguay, Argentina, Colombia, Peru and Chile. With 12 wins and five draws from their 18 qualifiers, Brazil have regained the swagger that appeared lost forever when they were thrashed 7-1 by Germany in the semi-final of the 2014 World Cup on their own soil.

Since then new heroes have emerged and there is fresh hope for a country brought up on the flamboyant talents of Pele, Ronaldinho, Romario, Ronaldo and Socrates.

Neymar has averaged a goal and an assist per game since moving to PSG. Coutinho continues to be coveted by Barcelona, while Jesus is already the next superstar the nation has craved for years.

Speaking at Wembley yesterday ahead of tonight’s fascinating clash, coach Tite said: “On Gabriel Jesus I’ll say here what I said in Brazil.

Manchester City, the team that signed him, should be very pleased with Palmeiras and the coaches there who formed a player who is already at such a good level.

“He came to England with a natural fluency. I’ve already mentioned the mental capacity he has and his technical ability. He didn’t need much time to adapt, he was already at a very good level.”

There are other talents behind that fearsome Brazilian front-line. Since his move to Barcelona from Guangzhou Evergrande, Paulinho has been unrecognisable from the midfielder who flopped at Tottenham.

Renato Augusto might now be plying his trade away from the limelight in China but he is still seen as the glue that holds the Brazil side together.

In defence Real Madrid’s Marcelo (left, after scoring against Japan) and Alves should play on either side of Inter Milan’s Miranda and PSG’s Marquinhos.

In goal, Manchester City’s £35million keeper Ederson continues to pressure Roma’s Alisson Becker.

The bench will be particularly instructive in terms of Brazil’s quality. Thiago Silva, Filipe Luis, Chelsea’s Willian and City’s Fernandinho are among those unable to get into the starting line-up.

Tite has a clear plan and the men to execute it. The optimism surrounding the Three Lions is in for quite a test this evening.