A Progress Report on the Form of Barcelona Forward Neymar

When Neymar was clattered by Juan Zuniga in the midst of an, eventually, unsuccessful World Cup campaign last summer, Barcelona's directors must've feared the worst.

With the latter part of his 2013/14 season at club level being peppered with injuries, there was certainly a need for the young Brazilian to hit the ground running at the beginning of the new campaign.

The diagnosis of a fractured vertebrae and TV pictures of a wounded Neymar being airlifted to hospital in a helicopter would have sent shock waves through the Blaugrana part of Catalonia.

Handout/Getty Images

But they needn't have worried.

Just six weeks after that Fortaleza quarter-final, Neymar pitched up at Camp Nou for Barca's traditional curtain raiser, the Joan Gamper Trophy, against Liga MX side Club Leon.

Two goals in that match was a fine way to kick off the new campaign, and his influence has grown as the season has developed.

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Picture: Suarez, Neymar and Messi during the game against Elche #fcblive [fcb] pic.twitter.com/BpbSQ85wjZ

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) January 10, 2015"

Back in October, Neymar was talking in terms of how he was finally beginning to reproduce his international form at club level.

Already with eight goals at that point, he had almost surpassed his entire season's total of nine from the previous campaign.

Per Tim Hanlon of Reuters, Neymar spoke to a news conference before the second Champions League group tie, against Ajax:

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I don't know if this is a new version but I feel more at home, relaxed, and you notice this on the pitch.

Everything is playing its role in my level improving. The trainer, the players, all this when you put them together gives you the results.

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His improvement has been marked, and perhaps the most noticeable upgrade in his game has been a better appreciation of space and where to be on the pitch in order to take advantage of his quick burst of pace over short distances.

Far too often during last season, that part of Neymar's natural game was easily negated, which meant that his ease of movement became staccato and his game more forced. The end result was a player almost devoid of the confidence we were used to seeing in the canary-yellow shirt of the Selecao. 

A layman perhaps doesn't understand the importance of quality movement off the ball being as vital as what a player does in possession of it. 

But as we've seen time and again, an incisive run into space often opens up the channels for those in behind to take advantage. Similarly, an accurate pass into an expanse of green is enticing for the front runner.

Neymar has been adept at both throughout 2014/15.

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Neymar: Stats Neymar for Barcelona so far this season #fcblive [by @crazy_barca_90] pic.twitter.com/2Ndedv3uK5

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) January 10, 2015"

Sixteen goals this season, per WhoScored.com, is a significant return, but it's the lack of selfishness that must also not be overlooked.

His value to the team now is evident, and numerous man-of-the-match awards reflect that.

Last season, eyebrows were often raised if Neymar was picked ahead of either Alexis Sanchez or Pedro Rodriguez. Javier Hernandez of Inside Spanish Football noted:

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In fact, in 2014 Neymar has only scored one goal and assisted another in all competitions, both times coming from the bench.

But Neymar’s poor performance is not only a thing of 2014, playing away from the Nou Camp the Brazilian has only score one goal in nine La Liga matches and provided only two assists. His goal came against the worst league team so far, Betis, and his last assist was against Rayo, also in relegation zone at that time.

[...] Considering that the Catalans have only failed to win six games on the road this season, the numbers of Neymar are quite alarming. As was the performance of Barcelona in those games.

[...] Also, another reason not to start the Brazilian is his lack of association with [Lionel] Messi. The Argentine is not only the biggest star of Barcelona and the team hope in the Clasico, he is also picking up his best form in 2014, having scored 17 goals and assisted eight goals in all competitions in these last three months. However, in none of those goals has Neymar been involved.

[...]  Alexis Sanchez has scored 17 goals so far in La Liga and has only one assist less than the ‘Carioca’, with seven.

[...] Pedro has scored seven times at home and on the road and has also delivered three assists away from the Nou Camp. The right flank at the Bernabeu should be his.

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Hernandez wasn't alone in negatively breaking down Neymar's contributions, but the Brazilian has answered his critics in the best possible way.

"Messi-dependence" has become something of a cliche, but with Luis Suarez hardly setting the world alight, Neymar has become the go-to guy if the Argentinian has an off day.

Long may it continue.