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Neymar must leave comfort zone to fulfill promise
Over the last three years the 20-year-old has climbed almost every mountain that exists in South American club football. He is a magnificent talent, with the balance and two footed trickery to draw comparison with a young George Best. But he is by no means the finished article. Nor will he be until he learns how to operate in reduced space.
The Olympic final against Mexico was another in a recent sequence of big matches where Neymar has been nullified by canny defences closing him down. This is not necessarily a cause for alarm. Learning to overcome such challenges is a normal part of a young player's development. But in order to learn he must come up against his demon on a regular basis, and here lies the problem.
Brazilian club defences tend to lie very deep, meaning there is space on the field for the likes of Neymar to pick up possession and build up acceleration. Referees are quick to blow for fouls and there is a cultural tolerance of diving.
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Over the last three years the 20-year-old has climbed almost every mountain that exists in South American club football. He is a magnificent talent, with the balance and two footed trickery to draw comparison with a young George Best. But he is by no means the finished article. Nor will he be until he learns how to operate in reduced space.
The Olympic final against Mexico was another in a recent sequence of big matches where Neymar has been nullified by canny defences closing him down. This is not necessarily a cause for alarm. Learning to overcome such challenges is a normal part of a young player's development. But in order to learn he must come up against his demon on a regular basis, and here lies the problem.
Brazilian club defences tend to lie very deep, meaning there is space on the field for the likes of Neymar to pick up possession and build up acceleration. Referees are quick to blow for fouls and there is a cultural tolerance of diving.
(continue)
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