Watching Bayern get ripped apart by Neymar last night only made me more frustrated when I consider the fact that his replacement for FCB, Antoine Griezmann, is nowhere near as good as him. Don't get me wrong, replacing a talent like Neymar is nearly impossible but what disappoints me most about Griez is that he's nowhere near as effective; Griezmann doesn't have to be as skillful, fast or entertaining as Neymar but he does need to fill his void and help the team.
To put into context, this season Manchester City have largely been without their best ever striker Sergio Aguero. In his absence Gabriel Jesus has (more often that not) lead the line and whilst he's nowhere near as good as Aguero in terms of finishing, skill, pace etc he is doing a job for them that is as effective as Aguero; albeit in a different way as he is a different player. As a result of Jesus being so effective, as a team Man City are largely unaffected. Is Jesus as good as Aguero? No. Not for me, but he's very effective at what he does. Unlike Griezmann.
The first two out of the door this summer have got to be Dembele and the imposter Griezmann. Neither are good enough to play at the highest level and even if FCB win La Liga, people shouldn't be kidded into believing they are good enough as a pair to win titles.
Neymar Vs Griezmann
posted on 14/4/21
While the broader point is taken, don't you think Griezmann would be more effective if he had simply slotted into Neymar's position in the highly-functioning side Neymar played in?
By the time Griezmann joined, there had been a noticeable decline in some of the key players Neymar had played with, and others had already left and not been adequately replaced.
posted on 14/4/21
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posted on 14/4/21
comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 36 minutes ago
While the broader point is taken, don't you think Griezmann would be more effective if he had simply slotted into Neymar's position in the highly-functioning side Neymar played in?
By the time Griezmann joined, there had been a noticeable decline in some of the key players Neymar had played with, and others had already left and not been adequately replaced.
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No because he isn't talented or effective enough. If Griezmann joined the 2011 or 2015 Barca he still would've been poor.
posted on 14/4/21
So he wouldn't have been more effective in a highly-functioning team than in a dysfunctional team? You know, kind of like he was at his previous club, or like G Jesus is for Man City.
posted on 14/4/21
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posted on 14/4/21
comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 1 hour, 4 minutes ago
So he wouldn't have been more effective in a highly-functioning team than in a dysfunctional team? You know, kind of like he was at his previous club, or like G Jesus is for Man City.
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No I do not think so. He wouldn't have been able to fit in properly and he hides too much on the pitch. The reason (imo) he looked so good at Atletico is because they were such a defensive team, meaning he stood out more as a decent attacking player. For example if a decent defender like, say, Rudiger went to Arsenal where they are woeful defensively he would suddenly look world class because of what is around him. Name one top drawer forward Griezmann played with at Atletico?? Torres was past it, Costa at Chelsea and Mandzukic left too.
posted on 14/4/21
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posted on 14/4/21
Last night was the first time for ages I've watched Neymar and been impressed. Poch really seems to have got him, and Mbappe, going. The other 9 not so much.
posted on 14/4/21
comment by Kamikaze Blue (U7450)
posted 7 minutes ago
Last night was the first time for ages I've watched Neymar and been impressed. Poch really seems to have got him, and Mbappe, going. The other 9 not so much.
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Neymar is the best 'big game' player in the world at the moment. He loves big matches.
posted on 14/4/21
No I do not think so. He wouldn't have been able to fit in properly and he hides too much on the pitch. The reason (imo) he looked so good at Atletico is because they were such a defensive team, meaning he stood out more as a decent attacking player.
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What you have said about Atletico though is a classic example of a "functional" side, because they had a clear strategy.
I wouldn't say he wouldn't fit into a more fluid Barca side like the one Neymar played in, because I don't doubt he would, although there are times where it does take players time to adjust from a certain system to another, as Atletico and Barca play in contrasting styles. I still think Griezmann could be effective in the side that Neymar was playing in. Maybe not as good however.