SM
Man Utd vs. PAOK: 2 hrs 23 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

How Barcelona could line up with Neymar

:Headline: How Barcelona could line up with Neymar: ID:369578: from db_amp
Sports Mole looks at how Barcelona could line up should they re-sign Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

The final week of the European transfer window is sure to be dominated by the future of the world's most expensive player as speculation over Neymar's position at Paris Saint-Germain continues to intensify.

La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid are both understood to be interested in the Brazilian forward, who is desperate to return to Spain following two tumultuous years in the French capital.

Barcelona are thought to be leading the race after stepping up their pursuit in recent days, with rumours of a big-money offer plus Ousmane Dembele.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Ernesto Valverde could set his side up should Neymar complete his feted return to Camp Nou.



The first dilemma for Valverde to solve upon the possible arrival of Neymar will be how to fit him into the team alongside Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann.

The quartet would give Barcelona arguably the most dangerous attack in world football, although to fit them all into the same starting XI Valverde would likely have to adapt his preferred 4-3-3 formation.

Messi remains undroppable and, should the 4-3-3 system prove to be concrete, then it would likely be a straight shootout between Suarez and Griezmann for the central striking role.

Neymar, Suarez and Messi formed a deadly partnership during their previous time together, but Griezmann got off the mark with a brace at the weekend and will expect to start regularly following his £107m arrival from Atletico Madrid.

A 4-2-3-1 formation appears to be the most suitable system for all four to be included, and that would also allow Barca to start both Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong in their preferred roles, although Arthur, Arturo Vidal, Rafinha and Ivan Rakitic provide further depth in the middle of the park.

The centre-back partnership of Clement Lenglet and Gerard Pique is now Valverde's preferred duo, while Jordi Alba remains first-choice left-back despite the arrival of Junior Firpo and Marc-Andre ter Stegen is the undisputed number one.

The only position seemingly up for grabs in the back five is therefore right-back, where Sergi Roberto and Nelson Semedo will battle it out should the latter not be included in the deal to bring Neymar to Camp Nou.

amp_article__369578 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-08-30 21:26:08:
html db last update - 2019-08-30 21:26:08 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Neymar future - Click here for more stories

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .