When Barcelona shelled out €90m for Luis Suarez, they did so in the knowledge that they were purchasing a proven goal scorer, a man who snatched a share of the Golden Boot with 31 League goals last season.
Yet the player known for bulging the back of the net seems intent on putting the ball on a platter for his teammates to do so instead – and that’s not such a bad thing.
The Uruguayan emerged from the bench against Almeria and was the catalyst for La Blaugrana’s second half fight back, creating goals for Jordi Alba and fellow substitute Neymar.
Of course, Suarez’s powers of creativity are of little surprise. The controversial striker finished just behind former teammate Steven Gerrard in the tally for Premier League assists last year, laying on 11 decisive passes for colleagues. Now the 27-year-old has started to replicate that in Spain, and marked his Barca debut against Real Madrid by setting up a goal for Neymar and he also produced a superb lobbed assist for Gerard Pique in the Catalan Super Cup.
His selflessness has to be admired. Suarez must be chomping at the bit for his first Barcelona goal, and few would blame him for shooting when any half-decent opportunity presented itself. However, one of Suarez’s more tolerable traits is his desire to win and work for the team. In short, he doesn’t care who scores the goals, as long as the team is successful. This is demonstrated by his unselfishness in attacking positions, where he has often opted to pass instead of go for goal.
For months, Suarez was on the outside looking in, pining for football while Lionel Messi and Neymar’s burgeoning partnership continued to flourish. No better way to endear himself to his new striker partners than to provide them with the necessary ammunition. A good understanding with his fellow South American forwards is of paramount importance.
The signs are promising but it will take time for the trio to work fluidly. It took a full season before Messi and Neymar were singing from the same hymn sheet, and longer until they have the understanding of Real Madrid’s front three, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.
As well as Suarez has started, this is merely the beginning. A few nice passes is not going to convince anyone that he was worth the large outlay. Suarez is yet to score in four attempts, but came extremely close to breaking his duck against Almeria, with his second half strike smashing the crossbar.
He and his cohorts were also denied several times by the heroics of goalkeeper Sergio Alvarez during La Blaugrana’s defeat to Celta Vigo. But the goals will come, with every minute of football bringing greater confidence and sharpness.
No doubt Luis Enrique, while not blown away by the striker’s start, will in the meantime be satisfied with his influence, preventing a third League defeat in a row for the first time since 2008.
And while Neymar and Alba scored the goals, Suarez decided the game for his new side, the first match-winning performance of what is likely to be many in Barcelona colours.
