Barcelona are much better without Neymar

Barcelona don't miss Neymar. Read like that, it sounds strong. But it's the reality of not just feelings but also of statistics. The Catalans are stronger, more complete and, above all, more balanced since the Brazilian left. And that's before Philippe Coutinho has made his debut and before Ousmane Dembele, due to two injuries, has been able to get going. 

With the disappearance of the reliance on the trident -- Neymar, Messi and Suarez -- Barça have returned to playing like Barça. The midfielders, once again, have a role to play and the team is showing a solidarity unknown in the Neymar years. The lines are closer together, the pressing has returned and they've not lost their ability in attack. The opposite: Messi and Suarez have 34 goals between them in La Liga. 

Of course, it's not about writing off Neymar's talent. He is a genius who is on the podium of the best players in the world. And he helped (a lot) in the treble winning year. But, sometimes, teams must function as teams, away from the individuals. And Barça needed to recover the collective version of themselves to be able to fight for all three titles again. With what's been seen so far, and their spectacular form in the league, the change has been positive. Very positive. 

The imminent entrance of Coutinho to the team should make the change in philosophy even more evident. More than a chance, a rediscovery of the past. The best Barça in history, Pep Guardiola's Barça, was a Barça full of midfielders. Like the one being built now by Valverde. 

In addition, without Neymar, we're free of the worst part of the Brazil star: the 'Toiss', the escapes to Brazil and the frivolousness online (and on the pitch) which do not show even a hint of grace.