Which Barcelona players have been positively affected by Neymar's departure?

Neymar has been grabbing the headlines since his record transfer to PSG for all the good and bad reasons. When a world-class player like him leaves a club, it is hard to replace him. There is immense pressure on any player who would try to fill in the vacant spot, but Barcelona certainly don't seem to be struggling without the Brazilian.

Call it the manager's tactics or a squad with better team spirit. But, sitting on top of the league with a winning streak of 6 games and a goal tally of 20, Barcelona don't seem unstable even after their deadly strike force was broken.

Although some would say that Neymar's transfer is a loss for Barcelona, it has surely had some positive effects on fellow players in the squad.

Here's a quick look at who all have been positively affected by the mega transfer.

5) Denis Suarez

Of course, this guy has made the most of the opportunities given to him. Rising through the ranks, Denis is quite young and fits in the Barcelona style of play perfectly. He is known for his dribbling and intricate passing.

He has scored 2 goals and assisted 2 more in just 6 games in the league so far. Neymar's transfer meant a vacant first-team spot on the left wing, and this guy surely deserves the playtime he's getting.

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has shown trust in him and he has made the most of it. After being the super sub against Getafe and scoring the equaliser, Suarez has essentially validated that trust.

Despite a couple of offers from big European clubs for him this summer, he decided to stay, considering Barcelona his home and it looks like he made the right call

This may be Denis Suarez's breakthrough year.

4) New signings

Barcelona v Espanyol - La Liga — Dembele and Deulofeu have been pretty impressive so far

A huge amount of money was in Barcelona's pocket after the mega transfer. Ousmane Dembele, arguably one of the most exciting prospects in Europe, was signed for around €105 million as Neymar's long-term replacement.

Meanwhile, Gerard Deulofeu has been brought back home from Everton to support the attack. Young players of such great potential are always good for a team in the long run. Now, the first team spot cannot be given to any one player so easily.

This meant that both of them would get chances to prove themselves. Deulofeu played 5 games in the league and created 9 chances for the team, and has been combing with Messi ever so well.

He definitely understands the Barcelona style of play. All he has to do is to improve his decision-making at crucial moments of the game and he will be great this season.

On the other hand, Dembele looked promising before being sidelined for a couple of months due to an injury. The Frenchman will look to hit the ground running as soon as he returns.

3) Lionel Messi

Everybody is aware of how close Neymar and Messi were at Barcelona. They had an amazing chemistry on and off the pitch. Messi always helped him improve and grow as a player.

The Brazilian's departure was something that Messi didn't want but certainly, hasn't let affect his performance. Messi has arguably been the brightest in Europe so far, bagging 9 goals in the league so far, from 6 games, and 2 amazing goals against Juventus in the UEFA Champions League.

While Neymar was present, Messi always tried to beat a couple of defenders and selflessly pass the ball to Neymar to finish it off. This selflessness made their attack force stronger but it also wasted some clear chances in front of goal.

Now that Neymar's gone, Messi does the job himself. Playing lethally as a false 9 almost throughout the game, he now gets more time on the ball and Messi with the ball means more goals or more chances.

The Argentine has created an incredible 11 chances in the league all alone, helping the team to maintain a 6-match winning streak. Certainly, after the Brazuka's departure, we are seeing a more attacking Messi who is hungry for goals and just can not stop scoring.

2) Midfield duo

FC Barcelona v Chapecoense - Joan Gamper Trophy — Barca's midfield duo with Luis Suarez.

To be honest, Ivan Rakitic has been playing the best football in the past few seasons. He has been dropping deep to build up the play along with Busquets, having delicate one-two passes with Iniesta and has also been combining amazingly with the attack force.

Basically, he has been all over the pitch. Rakitic has completed 92% of his passes and provided 2 assists in the league. We have also seen Rakitic taking powerful strikes from in and around the opponent's D-area. He also has an unbelievable 75% shot accuracy, which is pretty impressive for a midfielder.

Iniesta has been looking great this season. He has been controlling the midfield and supplying the attack as well. Possessing an incredible 91% pass completion, Iniesta can now do what he does best. No Neymar means that the captain gets to dribble the ball around more, beating opponents with his exquisite touches and fancy turns.

Iniesta certainly has been providing the spark after a relatively low-key season last term.

Since the departure of the Brazilian, the job of creating chances and showing creativity on the field has fallen on the shoulders of this midfield duo once again. In the Spanish top flight, they have a created 12 chances combined.

There were speculations of the Croatian being replaced by Coutinho, but that transfer didn't happen and it seems like Barca don't need him, as the Croatian is back to his best. We also hope to see more magical passes and skills from the Barcelona's captain after the departure of Neymar.

1) Jordi Alba

Pretty obvious. Jordi Alba has been providing the spark to every game he has played. Running up and down the left flank, the Spanish left-back has been amazing so far. He has acted as an extra man in all attacks created by Barcelona.

He has been floating in crosses and using his incredible pace very well to beat opponents and help to create chances for the team. Having been in the team for quite some time, Alba now gets to express and play his style of the game. He charges down the left flank, making numerous dribbles and the next second you can see him helping the defence too.

While Neymar was present at Barca, Alba didn't get to attack the way he likes to, but now there seems to be no hurdle for him. He almost has a telepathic connection with Leo Messi, as most of the passes directed inside the opposition box has met Messi, and you know what happens when Messi has the ball in front of goal.

Valverde has brought out the best of the Spaniard, after he was highly disappointing under Luis Enrique. Alba has provided 3 assists in the league, so far, which is good enough for a defender.

Moreover, he has been attacking more which enables Messi to play as an attacking midfielder from where the Argentine can score and as well as assist goals. So Neymar's absence has not been felt on the left wing and all credit goes to the Spanish full-back.

Certainly, all Barcelona players have high regard for the Brazillian and stand firm on their decision to not criticise him for his move away from the Spanish giants.

But, according to the stats, Neymar's departure has not affected the performance of the team, and has, instead, brought out the best of many players - which truly proves that no club is just about a few players.

It's about the squad and it's the team spirit that wins you trophies.

Edited by Aakanksh Sanketh