Inter Miami are being linked with a high-profile move for Neymar after the Florida side failed to deliver in the playoffs, but not everyone thinks it would be the right move.
Lionel Messi’s side claimed the Supporters’ Shield during the regular season, finishing eight points clear of the Columbus Crew for the best record in the MLS.
Unfortunately for David Beckham’s side they couldn’t translate that to playoff success, as they were stunned and dumped out of round one by Atlanta United – a team that finished with 34 fewer points than them.
As a result the rumour mill is turning over what Inter Miami will do next in order to improve the side, and the latest buzz is linking Neymar with a move to the sunshine state.
The move would see him reunite with former Barcelona teammate Messi, along with Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez.
Is Neymar who Inter Miami needs?
While the move would certainly make headlines, as any team featuring Messi and Neymar would, but not everyone thinks Miami should bring in the Brazilian.
“I don’t think Neymar is what they need right now. I mean, I think they need to shore up the back line and get some additional quality back there,” ESPN analyst Jeff Carlisle said on the Futbol Americas podcast.
No doubt that Neymar’s signing would create a fearsome attack in Miami, but it’s their defense that likely needs the most help. The team gave up 49 goals last season, which was far off the top backlines in the league, and bringing in Neymar wouldn’t rectify that problem.
Don’t forget that given MLS’ salary cap and roster regulations, bringing in Neymar would likely make it more difficult to bring in an impactful defender.
“Miami always seems to step right up to the line of the salary cap and the roster rules. And then they kind of find themselves in situations where they’re dealing from a position of weakness. And so I think that’s what could make it especially difficult in this off-season,” Carlisle added.
There’s also the question of whether Miami are interest in bringing back Suarez, who signed a one-year deal with the club.
Although he has shown interest in remaining, there are question marks over the 37-year-old’s fitness given his chronic knee problems. Should he leave a move for Neymar would make more sense, but time will tell which position Miami chooses to strengthen.
