How does Chelsea target Neymar compare to past Brazilian 'wonderkids' Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Robinho?

How did the three R's compare when they were 18?

21 Jul 2010 12:00:00

More On :  , Chelsea FC, West Ham, Neymar Santos Júnior
PROFILE

Interest in Brazilian forward Neymar is ripe among Premier League clubs, with title holders Chelsea the latest side to have a bid rejected by Santos after West Ham United had previously looked to open their cheque book.
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Every few years there is that new Brazilian wonderkid on the block and at just 18 years of age, we can't yet be sure what to make of Neymar, can we? So we sent Goal.com Brazil expert Maria Fernanda Cavalcanti back through time to 1994, 1998 and 2002 to chart the progress of Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Robinho when they were of that same age. Plus we have the full breakdown of Neymar's style, strengths and weaknesses below.


Ronaldo - 1994, aged 18


 CLUB: Cruzeiro

HONOURS: World Cup winner (USA 94)

Won Campeonato Mineiro 1994 (state championship)

Finished as Campenato Mineiro top goalscorer.


APPEARANCES: 14


GOALS: 12


FLASHBACK

By the age of 18, Ronaldo’s reputation was already on the rise.

A great striker since the beginning of his career, he made his debut for the Brazilian national team and in the World Cup (although he did not feature in the finals).

He was signed by PSV Eindhoven for $6 million, and was a sensation for the Dutch side, finishing as the Eredivisie’s top striker, with 30 goals.


Ronaldinho - 1998, aged 18



CLUB: Gremio


HONOURS: None


APPEARANCES: 8


GOALS: 1







FLASHBACK

Ronaldinho performed brilliantly in at Copa Libertadores, the South American equivalent of the Champions League.

He was, however, protected too much by his club, Gremio, and it was beginning to hamper his development, and any potential transfer to Europe. The following year, 1999, would be greater for the magician. Having received a call-up by the Brazilian national team, Ronaldinho was given the opportunity to finally shine on the world stage.
Robinho - 2002, aged 18
CLUB: Santos

HONOURS: Campeonato Brasileiro 2002 Champions.

Winner of the Silver Ball, awarded to the league's best player, by Placar magazine.


APPEARANCES: 30


GOALS: 10
FLASHBACK

Robinho rise to stardom was meteoric, with spectacular performances against Santos’ biggest rival, Corinthians.

He created the infamous pedalada trick, and during this period of his career, Robinho showed more audacity in his performances.


Neymar - 2010, aged 18
 

CLUB: Santos

HONOURS: Champion of Campeonato Paulista 2010 (state championship).

Named the Best Player of Campeonato Paulista for 2010.


APPEARANCES: 30 (since January 2010)


GOALS: 27



ANALYSIS

Style: As skilful as Robinho, Neymar has complete mastery of the ball. One of the fastest players in Brazil, he is naturally right-footed, although he has made improvements on his left side over the past months.

The majority of his goals are scored inside the box, but he has a powerful shot, and can find the net from outside the penalty area as well.

Capable of playing quick, short passes with conviction, Neymar is a very intelligent footballer; he already knows what he wants to do with the ball before he has received it.

Position: Neymar flourishes in a 4-3-2-1 formation. Operating on either flank, he likes to cut inside to supply the striker up front.

He also can play in a more advanced role. In a traditional 4-4-2 for example, Neymar can help lead the line, and will making runs out wide to create space in the middle, and confuse his marker.

Form: At this moment, especially in Campeonato Brasileiro, Neymar is not performing at the same high level that he was a few months ago.

Nonetheless, he is still young, and although his physique seems very slight, he is strong and already used to tough challenges. His electric pace could certainly trouble Premier League defences.

Lifestyle: Adapting to England itself - the really cold weather, as well as the English language - would be a problem for him, as has been the case with Robinho.

VERDICT

Neymar has certainly shown enough skill to compare to Brazilian legends of recent times, even at the young age of 18. However, what all these legends have in common is that not one of them has succeeded in England - only one of them even tried, and that was Robinho desperately seeking an exit route from the Bernabeu after talking himself into trouble at Real Madrid.

Perhaps equally important is that they all waited a little longer before making their move to one of Europe's biggest clubs. Ronaldinho - admittedly the latest to bloom of the three - did not join Barcelona until he was 23, but lit up the world stage immediately once he did. Robinho was 21 by the time he got his move to Real Madrid and even then, showed initial signs that it may have been too soon for him. Ronaldo, ever the exception to every rule, was as young as 20 and smashed all kinds of records in his one season at Barcelona.

But the very notion of Neymar, now 18, finding his way to a PSG or a PSV seems unlikely now that Chelsea have made a bid for his services. He will be heading straight from Brazil to the big time sooner or later. He seems to be more in Robinho's mould than anyone else - and it was Robinho whom Chelsea wanted to sign two years ago before the move collapsed - but does that make Neymar, the next great Brazilian, worth the risk? The evidence would suggest not.

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