Sky Sports' Spanish football expert also gives his thoughts on the latest transfer stories
Monday 26 January 2015 18:19, UK
Lionel Messi has found himself in isolation at the Camp Nou at times this season following the departure of his perfect partner, Cesc Fabregas.
That partnership between the Argentina star and the now-Chelsea midfielder blossomed two years ago and, at its peak, it was one of the most complete midfielder-striker relationships in the game.
In the beginning, there were doubts Neymar’s submission to Messi was genuine, and there was tension at the start between the two. Neymar now is playing that game and that keeps a balance in the team. He insists Messi is the number one, and for Messi that is to be expected. All in all, that makes Barcelona stronger.
However, in the last year, Neymar and Messi have developed in tandem and now have an understanding which can rival, if not better, the previous one at Barcelona. When you look at the goals they have scored so far, and in terms of assists, it’s incredible.
Now we are talking about two South American friends at the Camp Nou, a relationship which mirrors that of Messi and Cesc.
In the beginning, there were doubts Neymar’s submission to Messi was genuine. Couple this with the fact Messi knew Barcelona were lying to him about the amount spent to bring Neymar to Catalunya and the wages he was getting paid. Barcelona didn’t count the 40m euros they paid Neymar’s father as wages, but in reality that sum was.
At the time, that payment made Neymar the biggest earner at the club until Messi renewed his contract. All in all, it wasn’t about money... it was about Sandro Rosell forgetting the hierarchies at Barcelona, and that created tension.
Last season, Neymar had to adapt to Spanish football which is more fluent, has more continuity and is physically stronger than the Brazilian league. Now he has adapted and his goals record on average has gone from 0.37 to 0.86 per game. That is a consequence of him using his footballing intelligence to understand the game better.
Luis Enrique keeps asking him to wait for the ball out wide more often than he does, not drive the ball as often as he does, to release it quickly and move, and not to come inside so much - so there is still a lot to correct in his game.
One thing that has happened is that Neymar insists Messi is the number one, and for Messi this is to be expected. Messi is the one who starred as they won all those trophies over the years. He is the main goalscorer and he just wants everybody to work his way and that’s only logical - all the big stars do that.
Neymar is playing that game and that keeps a balance in the team, a team which is more balanced after Luis Enrique listened to players, particularly Xavi, regarding less squad rotation and experimentation in order to get a more defined XI.
Gerard Pique is back on form and defensively Barca are very strong - they have only conceded one goal since the Real Sociedad defeat. All in all, that makes Barcelona stronger but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are going to win titles.
When we get to the tail-end of the season, the big games will come down to how they respond to stronger defences as a collective unit. And, unfortunately, I’ve got my doubts about that.
Is there anything more behind Ronaldo’s frustrations after he lashed out to get himself sent off at the weekend? Is he struggling to work alongside Gareth Bale?
GUILLEM SAYS: He has done it in the past and he’s been sent off five times while at Real Madrid, four of which were for aggressive conduct. Those came as a consequence of frustration, either because of the marking he was getting, the lack of chances being created and, occasionally, the pressure from the fans.
The latest red card, however, is a consequence of Ronaldo not scoring freely in the last two months. He has scored eight penalties this season and while that keeps him as top goalscorer, he only had two shots on goal at the weekend against Cordoba and that is the lowest he has had since moving to Madrid. He intervenes less and touches the ball less. He is a goal machine, as Scott Minto likes to call him, but you don’t see him running at defenders, dropping much deeper or being part of the build as he used to.
I’ve always said this is the year he will find out the limits of his body and I wonder if this dip in form has anything to do with that. In any case, he’s very influential and Real Madrid absolutely depend on him, but when things don't go his way, we’ve seen out of those five dismissals, four have been for aggressive conduct.
After it initially seemed Aymeric Laporte was attracting interest from Manchester United, Real Madrid have apparently swooped in. Do they need him? Will it mean that Raphael Varane may look to leave?
GUILLEM SAYS: Real Madrid are more than happy with Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Raphael Varane. Even Nacho is useful to them. Of course, they have always got to be on the look-out for new players but Laporte is not on the list for Real as we speak, according to my information.
Has there been any developments on Nicolas Otamendi's future? Have Valencia revealed any more about who the mystery bidder was?
GUILLEM SAYS: Now to Otamendi’s future and the mystery bidder! I did say on Twitter as soon as the bid came in that it was from Manchester United but Valencia would only sell for his buy-out clause which is €50m. Valencia have now become a buying club and not a selling club, so they are not in a rush to let him go.
What is the likelihood of David De Gea joining Real Madrid in the summer? Does the fact he used to play for Atletico affect his decision?
GUILLEM SAYS: The fact David de Gea was at Atletico Madrid will not have anything to do with his future, I can guarantee that. I can also guarantee Madrid want De Gea, and that leaves the keeper in a strong position. United will have work to do to convince him to stay but nothing has been decided by either side so they still have time to make sure he stays. Real, though, will certainly go for him in the summer.
Is there any truth to the rumours that Asier Illarramendi could be on his way to Arsenal? Would Carlo Ancelotti allow him to leave? Maybe on a loan deal?
GUILLEM SAYS: Asier Illarramendi has been approached by Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad and Inter Milan and I know Real have asked him if he wants to go in January, but he said no. Basically the imminent arrival of Lucas Silva is a way to push him out of the club so there wouldn’t be a problem if he goes. The decision is completely up to Illarra, but the favourites to land him are Bilbao and Sociedad and not the Gunners at this moment in time.
