- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Neymar has signed. He is a Barcelona player. He is versatile; so where will he play?
It’s no secret that Barcelona has a powerful forward line. Messi and Pedro have had the most pitch time of any of the forwards, however Villa, Iniesta, Fabregas, Sanchez, Villa and Tello have also played there, all racking up more than 22 appearances.
Adding Neymar to this mix is going to push some people out. Messi and Pedro will most likely start most games at striker and right wing respectively.
Neymar should play on the left wing, providing pace and dribbling up the wings then putting the ball in the middle either through a cross or the dribbling he has become known for.
A formation like the one below would be the standard formation for Barcelona.
But what about playing Neymar in the centre? If Messi was unable to take part in a game, my first choice would be to move Neymar to the middle. Iniesta would play on the left wing whilst Pedro would maintain his right wing position. This would leave space in the midfield for Fabregas or Song to play.
In such a situation, I would expect Barcelona to line up like this.
Of course, the experimentation would come sooner or later with Neymar playing on the right wing. Pedro is a great player, but the urge to put Neymar there for at least a few games could prove too great. Iniesta would again be on the left and Messi in the centre.
Neymar would play his best best on the wings, allowing Messi to create the space in the middle like he does so well.
Under these circumstances, the expectation would be that Barcelona line up like this.
Of course, no matter where Neymar plays along the forward line, he should deliver. His ability to cut in from the wings and score himself has delivered some of his most memorable goals.
But with Messi Barcelona’s main scorer, Neymar’s steady goal stream will slow considerably. But that does not mean that his role becomes any less significant.
He will become more of an opportunity creator, something which he is used to doing anyway. The difference will come when he isn’t able to finish the opportunity himself.
Neymar should do well at Barcelona. He will become a symbol for the club and certainly make their forward line far more deadly.
For now it’s a case of ‘watch this space’.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.