Summer Signing Review: Neymar

Hello again everyone and welcome to my latest blog post, where I review some of the summer signings in this current transfer window. 
This is the first post of many in my transfer review series and what better way to start than the Brazillian forward Neymar, who joined Liga BBVA champions Barcelona in June for around £50million pounds from Liga do Brazil side Santos.

Barcelona's new forward Neymar is highly regarded as one of the best in the world - at 21. 

Now I know what you are thinking - £50million pounds, for a young Brazillian is inflated, surely? Well yes, but football transfer fees these days are quite inflated depending on age and current form + performances. 

History books: Barcelona signing Neymar made him the 9th most expensive transfer fee player.

Neymar is one of the most talked about youngsters in the world, and at the tender age of 21 has the world at his feet in terms of sponsorship deals, publicity, and is now playing for arguably the best footballing team in the world. 

World at his feet: Neymar has signed lucrative sponsorship deals with Nike to wear their boots. 

He is one of the best players in his position, simply because of his rapid pace and amazing dribbling to get past defenders with ease, however the world has not actually seen him play often other than in the Liga do Brazil, which is a poor defensive league in terms of defenders. 

London 2012 Olympics - Neymar played as if he did not want to be there, flashes of brilliance at times but he was inconsistent. 

Confederations Cup 2013 - Neymar was more consistent this year in terms of his contribution to the Brazil team, he scored goals against Japan, Italy, Spain and Mexico and was able to feed the target men in the centre (Fred and Jo) but again he did not provide for 90 minutes and showed flashes of weakness when he was challenged on the ball by a strong defender. 

Overall, he has a lot of potential but needs to bulk up in terms of strength if he is going to compete with the European style and strength of defenders nowadays, there is a difference between defenders in the Brazillian league and those like Thiago Silva, Chiellini, and Sergio Ramos. 

It will be interesting to see how he performs in his first season in Europe, but with players like Sanchez, Messi, Xavi, Iniesta and Fabregas next to him it may not be very hard for him to score and make his mark...