While all eyes have been on Euro 2008 and the Cristiano Ronaldo and Emmanuel Adebayor sagas, a sea-change is taking place in English football with the new season likely to begin with a much bigger Brazilian influence than ever before.

As Jonathan Northcroft of the Sunday Times writes: “Until recently, indeed, there were more Brazilians in Faroes football than in the English game. In fact, almost every country had more. In excess of 5,000 Brazilians play professionally abroad but as recently as 2005-06 there were just three in the Premier League. Now, following Jo’s arrival, the number is 17 and only France, of non-UK nations, provides the top flight with more players."

Of course the most high-profile Brazilian to arrive in England is the new Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. The former Brazil and Portugal boss is known for creating well-organised sides with a touch of the Samba football that has made the biggest country in South America synonymous with the 'Beautiful Game'.

Scolari’s first signing is the Brazilian-born Deco, and if the transfer gossip pages are to be believed we can also expect to see Robinho at Stamford Bridge next season.

Following Big Phil into the Premier League is new Manchester City striker Jo. The former CSKA Moscow striker has all the ingredients to be a success under Mark Hughes at Eastlands. Jo has pace to burn, is a willing runner and has a good goal-scoring record. He should be a marked improvement on Benjani or Darius Vassell.

Perhaps joining Scolari at Chelsea or Jo at Manchester City is Ronaldinho, who has long been rumoured to be coming to the Premier League, looking for one last pay day in the richest league in the world. But his brother and agent has suggested he is close to joining AC Milan with Roman Abramovich not so keen on the now portly gap-toothed wonder and Manchester City not a big enough club for the former World Footballer of the Year.

Aside from the skilful attacking flair players that everyone knows and loves from the samba boys, English clubs are also recruiting goalkeepers from Brazil. Liverpool have been linked in recent days with Palmeiras's Diego Cavalieri to put some pressure on Pepe Reina. And Spurs have announced a deal for PSV No.1 Heurelho Gomes.

Gomes will replace Paul Robinson in the Tottenham goal and, judging by his European performances against Arsenal and Spurs in recent years, he should establish himself as one of the best goalkeepers in England.

Another new arrival at White Hart Lane this summer is Giovanni Dos Santos, the son of Brazilian footballer Zizinho, who has amusingly been nicknamed "Jonny Two Saints" by Spurs fans. Dos Santos may represent Mexico on the international stage but we can expect plenty of flair and creative ability from the former Barcelona youngster who has been dubbed the new Ronaldinho.

And there seem to be plenty more Brazilians on their way. Chelsea are rumoured to be interested in centre-back Alcides and Manchester United were linked with Luis Fabiano just days after their Champions League triumph in Moscow. The Sevilla striker is a poacher supreme and could also be the missing link at Old Trafford, especially if Louis Saha moves on.

The strength of Brazilian football is evidenced by the fact that 4 per cent of the country's GDP comes from the export of football players. Brazilians now account for the second biggest nationality of imports to the Premier League after France and it can only be a matter of time before the Samba boys outnumber Les Bleus.

Crucially this is another string to the bow of those that claim the Premier League is the best in the world. For so long La Liga and Serie A took the most imaginative and skilful players, and if Robinho or Ronaldinho do arrive we can look forward to a season of flair, creativity and imagination.