The new and improved Neymar

There is no doubt that Neymar has unquestionable quality but, like every star, he has his critics. Some say he needs to do more for Barcelona, to score more, to stop getting caught on the ball as much, to be more direct. Do these critics have a leg to stand on? Well, even the greats can improve on their game and Neymar is no different. The world cup star has shown he has corrected his earlier weaknesses so far this year and could be on course for a big personal campaign. So what is different this year?

Goals, goals, goals. The 22 year old scored 15 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions under the under whelming Gerard Martino. Although a respectable figure, fans were expecting more in the goal department with the expensive transfer fee and world wide hype that came with the Brazilian. If Neymar can get himself on the score sheet more, fans will soon forgive him for what was a okay debut season.

Neymar will look to build on his debut campaign

Neymar has already done this, having scored 8 goals already for Barcelona in just 8 La Liga appearances including hitting a hatrick the other weekend against Granada. Whether it has been the change in management or Neymar carrying on the blistering form he had at world cup before he was injured that has made him more clinical in front of goal is unclear but, it is certainly exciting to see.  

Any football fan will tell you that the football played in South America is certainly different to that played in Europe. The football in Spain is far more physical than Brazil and Neymar certainly found that out last season. He was often brushed off the ball far to easily and found himself on the end of some heavy challenges, something his frail stature couldn't always handle.

Neymar's weight at Barcelona is a hot topic. It was rumoured that when Neymar arrived at the Nou Camp he weighed just 8 stone. Sure, his lightweight frame makes him quick and is vital to his style of play but does need to be stronger if he is to compete in Europe. He has put on weight since the Barcelona medical staff raised concerns over his body frame and compared to the Neymar that represented Santos, he is physically stronger.

"We're getting better together" - Neymar on Messi

An opening season for any player is difficult at a new club, especially when you are arriving in a different continent let alone country. Players adapt to a new club at different rates but often enough it takes a season or so for a player to feel comfortable at a new club, become fully gelled into the footballing family and create a understanding with players. Neymar has already spoken of his developed understanding with Barcelona golden boy Lionel Messi this season and it shows on the pitch. Messi has assisted Neymar a number of times this season already and it is this duo that are the reason Barcelona have started so strong.

Neymar has come back to Barcelona this season stronger, clinical and fully in tune with his Barcelona team mates. Neymar and Messi have been two of the stand out stars of the early campaign and with Luis Suarez still yet to be added to the mix. It will be interesting to see if Suarez immediately adapts to the possession football that is played in Spain rather than the high tempo football in England and could need a year to give his best like Neymar seems to have done. It seems Neymar could have a huge season at the Nou Camp this year...