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’.
Ethan
Guest
To reply to PMacharia: Barca already tried having cesc in that position. And while it provided goals, cesc was far to predicatable and defenses caught on. Also, Iniesta lacks the pace to play wing too often (though he still does it very well and i prefer him over pedro). All over not bad, but with another signing (Kun Aguero *ahem*), then I'd say Messi right, Neymar left, and Kun center. And on another note, Barca's defense needs a LOT of work.
Arif pakara
Guest
I like barcelona formation.(4-3-3) the formation jest change (4-4-2) .Here messi & neymer in forward . In jest back both wing in xavi & iniesta. The centre in fabregas & sergio. In defends left back in jordi alba & right back in alves. The center back in pique & puyol.
PMacharia
Guest
I suggest neymar at left wing messi at the center and iniesta at the right wing, pedro to play as a substitute of either three, midfielders fabregas, sergio busquets and xavi, song to play as a substitute of fabregas or xavi, defenders and the goal keeper are ok to me.
uthman bashmayor
Guest
Bt messi,pedro n neyma hav 2 b in d pitch at d same tym coz it will make barca become d great club again
Ethan
Guest
neymar would do well to play center but drift left/right. iniesta and pedro on the wings and messi up top. therefor using a 4-2-3-1(defense to offense). or messi and neymar switch, with neymar still tweaked left/right. since both neymar and messi are actually mids, both could cover huge amounts of the attacking 3rd. and with the team's total football, it would be impossible for defenses to cover them all. and with xavi or cesc/busquets running from deep to support AND alba and alves....
Bondy
Guest
I haven't seen a great deal of Neymar but I assume he would take up a position where very similar to where Henry (left flank) played feeding Eto .I thought Cesc would've done a lot better at Barca he must be somewhat frustrated, whichever way Neymar running towards the 18 yrd box is very impressive and has to be utilised as such.
Leonidas Oriarewo
Guest
If you scroll down to the end, you will see my options on how to use Neymar in an injury situation. Am sure it will provide the opinion you expect of me. Thanks.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Good old shrek has been down in performance in recent times, but he didn't play much in Man Utd's final third of the season. He seems cash motivated anyway
AlexThanopoulos
Roar Rookie
Rooney had badly lost his first touch in the second half of the season. You need an exceptional first touch in that side.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Well Tito allows rid of Alexis. So if they sell Cesc, Alexis, Song and Villa - Barcelona need to sign an attacking midfielder/forward as a reserve for Messi/Neymar/Pedro They can't expect the masterful Xavi to be playing 40+ matches a season at his age. Personally I'm surprised that Barcelona aren't interested in Wayne Rooney
E.Xavi mendy
Guest
then let him play in the left wing wils messi plays in the middle reply
Leonidas Oriarewo
Guest
Neymar can be played in the middle at the expense of Messi because Messi has the capacity to play his way into the middle which could be an advantage. It could get defenders confused as to whether Messi would want to pass the ball to Neymar or go solo.
Leonidas Oriarewo
Guest
It is no longer news that Villa does not fit into Barca formation anymore. Also, which ever position Fabregas is to be played (right wing or mid left) he has to play a deputy role to Pedro and Song respectively because he is currently an average player. Talking about best formation, a Neymar/Messi/Pedro; Iniesta/Xavi backed up by Sergio at the middle ranks no. 1; except in cases of injury which could cause an alteration like having an Iniesta/Neymar/Pedro OR Iniesta/Neymar/Messi up front and then Song/Xavi backed up by Sergio at the middle. OR a Neymar/Messi/Fabregas up front and then Iniesta/Xavi backed up by Sergio. My contribution is incomplete without stating that Sergio is important to Barca just as Messi, Xavi and Iniesta are to the club.
William McInnes
Roar Pro
Villa in the last game proved he's not what Barca need anymore whilst Alexis proved the opposite!
Frankie Hughes
Guest
With Villa, Cesc and Song to be sold on the starting top 6 may look like this Neymar Messi Pedro/Alexis Iniesta Busquets Xaxi
AlexThanopoulos
Roar Rookie
A very decent player Neymar. Of course he will play, where adn how effective he will be is the question. A lot of hype and will be interesting to see how he adapts. He must, and accept, that he is not the main man in that side.
William McInnes
Roar Pro
I don't think Pedro deserves to be cut over Fabregas though. Pedro has been instrumental in Barca's season whilst Fabregas has been very average.
davo
Guest
Busquets is as important to the Barcelona system as Messi and xavi, you can't remove him from the team. He is painfully under-rated. I would go with the final formation listed above and have fabregas playing instead of song.
Jayden
Guest
Perhaps removing sergio, and having a man behind the striker in Messi That way both are inthe middle and can work off each other.
William McInnes
Roar Pro
Neymar should not play in the middle at the expense of Messi. Lets not overate him that much!