Three goals in the first 11 games of the 2017/18 season represents Luis Suarez’s worst return at this stage of the season as a Barcelona player.
To some extent, Ernesto Valverde’s system can be blamed given that the Uruguayan has been slightly shunted off to the left-hand side to allow Lionel Messi to wreak havoc more centrally.
But that still doesn’t extricate the striker from taking responsibility for misses such as the one in the second half against Malaga. His inability to convert is arguably what saw him taken off and replaced by the marginalised Paco Alcacer.
The former Valencia man could certainly do no worse that his teammate at present and that could be food for thought for Valverde in the upcoming half dozen games.
Another issue, though players and coaches are loathe to dwell on injuries, is that Suarez is carrying a knee problem. It’s known to be severe enough that Barcelona have requested that he doesn’t play in Uruguay’s November friendlies, something that’s already been acceded to by the authorities.
If it’s ‘that’ bad, one has to question the wisdom of keeping starting him in games rather than allowing him appropriate rest. Notwithstanding that, Suarez is still as far away from the player we know he can be, as its possible to be.
His play is lacking a natural flow and he is beginning to snatch at chances… all of the hallmarks of a player woefully out of form and looking for a spark from somewhere, anywhere.
On October 25th it will be three years since he made debut for the Blaugrana at the Santiago Bernabeu. Yes, only three years. In that relatively short space of time he has underscored his candidacy for being the best striker in the world.
When he’s ‘on it,’ no one comes close, but Barcelona fans have been left scratching their heads this season. Have they been watching an imposter? Can the real Luis Suarez please stand up.
Fortunately for the Catalans, Messi has started the season in vintage form and has propped up the goals for column in the absence of a regular contribution from his strike partner. But it can’t continue for long - even own goals have outscored Suarez to this point!
As everyone knows, a forward’s currency is goals. The Uruguayan’s excellence in the role will buy him a little more time, but with Alcacer itching to step up in his place, Suarez could become the surprise fall guy, and in a World Cup year no less.
