First Year Struggles of New Barça Strikers.

Luis Suarez’s sluggish goal scoring start to his Barça career has been a bit disappointing, but at the same time, he is not the first to do so either. Compared to other new Barça goal scorers, he’s actually doing quite well.

FC Barcelona is a unique club. Unique when it comes to being coached and unique in how the team plays. That is why not every great player does well after joining the Blaugrana. We have seen the likes of Vítor Baía, Zambrotta, and Hagi arrive at Barça and then fail to impress. Goal scorers are also not exempt from this list. From Mark Hughes to Maxi Lopez, and even Ibrahimovic to some, Barça has seen its share of disappointing strikers.

In all fairness, Luis Suarez did not get to fully integrate with the team before the season started. Because of his idiotic and gross misconduct during the World Cup, Luis Suarez was banned for the early part of the season. That killed any chance of gelling with his new teammates and new team style but he has slowly improved his performances since his debut in El Clásico. Yet, some are a bit upset with his lack of goals. However, when compared to other Barça goal scorers debutants, there is no reason to be upset.

Here are the statistics of first year Barça goal scorers after their first 19 matches for the Blaugrana:

Thierry Henry: 7 goals & 8 assists.

Ibrahimovic: 12 goals & 4 assists

Pedro: 10 goals and 1 assist

David Villa: 11 goals & 5 assists

Alexis: 8 goals & 2 assists

Neymar: 6 goals & 9 assists.

As for the Uruguayan international, he has scored 6 goals and provided 11 assists in his first 19 matches. So, if one wants to compare, Suarez is basically following in the footsteps of Neymar in terms of goals scored. It’s true the other names on that list have scored more, but then again, all of them, with the exception of Henry, played during Pep’s era where the team was considered one of the best in the world.

 

Nevertheless, keep in mind that Luis Suarez’s goals and assists combined were the most when compared to those other players. He may not be scoring as much, but he has been directly involved in 17 goals in his 19 matches. That is more than those players did during their first 19 matches.

Last season, we were told to be patient with Neymar and look how good he has been this season. So let’s be patient with Luis Suarez too. After all, it could be worse; Santi Ezquerro only scored one goal after joining Barça fall of 2006-2007 season.  So let’s hold judgment till after the season has concluded.