After having looked atthree of the top five costliest signings of 2013-14 season in Part 1, we look at the top two in this second and final part.
2. Neymar
From: Santos
To: Barcelona
Age: 21
Transfer Fees: €57 million
One of the longest running transfer sagas finally ended with Neymar’s €57 million transfer to Barcelona. Neymar, who primarily plays as either a forward, winger or occasionally as an attacking midfielder, often plays as a striker for both club and country in the team’s 4–3–3 formation and drifting occasionally onto the flanks due to his energetic pace and playmaking skills. Neymar’s common exemplary traits are his creativity, passing, clinical finishing, exceptional dribbling and technical ability, being described as both “electric” and “explosive”.
The media have often drawn comparisons between Neymar and Brazilian Legend Pelé, as Neymar possesses similar attributes and also like Pelé came from the Santos Youth Academy and turned heads with his skill. Neymar’s increasing reputation led both the media and former great players to draw comparisons between Neymar and FC Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, which Neymar has commented on saying: “Messi is above everyone, there is no use comparing me with him. […] He is the best player in the world and I always get inspired when I watch good football.”
The question remains though what would be his role in the current Barcelona setup. He can either play on the left wing instead of Tello/ David Villa or even play as the central striker as a backup for Messi. How Neymar will fit into the team is yet to be seen, but his potential partnership with Messi is a mouthwatering prospect for all football fans. We have already looked at it in detail how Messi and Neymar may fit in (Part 1, Part 2), and they can tactically complement each other.
Chance of success: 4.5/5
1. RadamelFalcao
From: Atlético Madrid
To: AS Monaco
Age: 27
Transfer Fees: €60 million
Falcao, sometimes nicknamed as El Tigre (Spanish for The Tiger), is considered by many experts to be the ‘deadliest’ striker in the world and among the best, having surpassed Jürgen Klinsmann’s record of 15 goals (17) in a single annual international club football European competition UEFA Champions League/UEFA Europa League campaign.
He played a key role in guiding F.C. Porto to a second UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League title, as well as finishing undefeated in the 2010–11 PrimeiraLiga season. Falcao had received the Portuguese Golden Ball award in 2011, becoming the first Colombian to do so, and also won both the GQ Spain award for sportsman of the year and the Globe Best Footballer in 2012, as well as being listed into the FIFA XI for 2012.
In just his first three seasons in European football, Falcao scored over 100 goals.Falcao’s most noticeable trait aside from his ability to play well with both feet and a strong header despite his size would be his impressive goal ratio and goal-by-minute ratio that even exceeds world top players Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Falcaois one of the most natural in-form goal scorers in the world today. His abilities to adapt to most positions and scoring goals with various parts of his body has resulted in goals than most would never expect. His footing and curves are highly noticeable through his games regardless of distance and/or positions. Falcao has a strong weak foot (left) that is on equals with his right foot (preference), allowing him to be flexible with goal scoring even in the most awkward positions. Falcao controls a well-balanced pace, keeping his stamina in check and allowing him to often out run other players in the most critical moments in obtaining the ball.
He is perhaps the most complete striker in the modern game and his record suggest as such, making AS Monaco’s decision to match his €60 million buy-out clause a very easy one. Having just been promoted to Ligue 1, Monaco owner Dmitry Rybolovlev want to see his team playing in the Champions League come 2014, and the decision to splash the cash on Falcao is the right way to go about it. Falcao is fully expected to take Ligue 1 by storm- Ligue 1 scoring records, be prepared to be shattered; The Tiger’s in town.
Chance of success: 5/5