A Fan’s Perspective: Half a season without Neymar at Barcelona

Has the Brazilian been missed?

Barcelona endured a difficult time this season when they bore witness to the most expensive transfer ever.

Neymar left for PSG for an eye-watering sum and many had expected Barça to struggle in the absence of the Brazilian. But have Barcelona actually suffered, if at all?

The answer is a murmured no. Yes, the Blaugrana have coped incredibly well and even thrived. Players like Jordi Alba have found their form, and Paulinho has added the necessary Samba into the mix. However, it’s not been as rosy as some would paint.

The club is struggling to score goals on a consistent basis and we all know that there was no force that could have contained an in-form MSN. Messi has flourished in the absence of the Brazilian. Suarez, on the other hand, has been hit-and-miss.

Neymar may have departed but his absence is not felt despite the obvious gap. Why? Ernesto Valverde.

The Basque has dealt with the Neymar-problem brilliantly. How? He got rid of the position altogether. No left-wing, no problem. Yes, Barcelona have not been as productive offensive, but they have evolved.

An unbeaten run has numbed the loss, and at this point, most of us perhaps do not care for the Brazilian. Besides, Messi is still here.

Source: Navjot Kasukurthy http://ift.tt/2DwhoEF