picture: Neymar latest photos

After last weekend's game against Scotland, Neymar has been in high demand for Chelsea and Manchester City in England. Probably many more teams in other countries are looking to make him a wealthy man also.

My Opinion:
STAY AWAY FROM ENGLAND!! How many South American attackers have been successful in the Premiership? Alright there is Carlos Tevez, but I will give you time to go through all the almanacs, wikipedia, and google to find other successful attacking players from South America (namely Argentina and Brazil). Even Tevez is an anomaly because he isn't in the mold of most South American strikers. He doesn't mind defending and pressuring from the front which for most players they would not be bothered to*do such a thing. Robinho has been a hit with AC Milan but could not crack the side at Manchester City. Probably not given the chance to shine. He could not handle the weather and the life in Manchester wasn't suitable to him like most other players.

English clubs do have a prejudice of South Americans. They are too flashy and too individualistic. Managers often tell these players not to do the things that got these players signed in the first place. Plus the rough and tough English Premier League style doesn't seem to favor players like Neymar. Especially in the winter where it is very foreign for most players coming from South American countries.

A Wild Idea:
If Santos is able to pay the money? Why doesn't he stay in Brazil? There is a thought. Many players go to Europe and find out that it isn't there cup of tea. They want to go back home (ask Carlos Tevez). When Robinho left for Europe, he did not play up to his billing. Then he went back to Santos and started playing some of his best football and got himself back in the National Team. I do not think that playing overseas has the same standard in places like Brazil or Argentina than it does in Australia or the United States for example. Most Australian players are encouraged to go to Europe to improve. Most South Americans don't need that training.

I have to take into account that most of these countries don't have the money to pay the players and it isn't entirely up to the players to go to Europe. However I think if Santos can pony up the money, then why not keep him there. Pele never made the jump to another country until his career was coming to an end. Neymar is a hot commodity but as we seen in a couple of international games, he can hold his own to European competition without the European training.

Maybe he wants the challenge of the European game or his agent wants to cash in on a huge pay-day. I cannot fault him for wanting to scratch that itch, however I hope he is being counseled the right way and doesn't make a decision that stunts his growth. If he does go to Europe, I'd rather see him in Spain or Italy because they won't try to mold him into a robot.

However, I could be wrong about this decision as I've been wrong about many other things. That is why this is just a blog and it is just my opinion...