Can Barcelona compete with Real Madrid without Neymar?

Next opponents Espanyol may feel their full force

The stunning trident of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar is no more. Neymar has left for pastures news, leaving Barcelona without one of their key players.

With Paris Saint-Germain splashing out a world record £200m to sign the Brazilian superstar, there are doubts as to whether they can still compete in the title race?

Many are predicting the relative demise of the Catalan giants this season.

The Coral News team take a look at some reasons why people might be jumping the gun.

Messi is king – everyone else is expendable

Neymar is a fantastic player – undoubtedly one of the best in the world.

But he is not Lionel Messi. As long as the little magician remains at Camp Nou, Barca will always be able to compete.

The Argentinean tends to thrive on more responsibility. In 21 games when either Suarez or Neymar has been absent, Messi has hit 25 goals.

In fact, the Blaugrana tend to average more goals when one of the three is absent. Three goals per game, compared to 2.8 when they all played.

Dembele is the real deal

Barcelona have a tendency to make a mess of the transfer market.

They have spent big before on a number of disasters. Who can forget £25m man Dmytro Chygrynskiy, for instance?

Ousmane Dembele looks a very savvy purchase, though – even at the reported £97m fee.