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The BBC's Tim Vickery covers South American football, so he's seen more of Neymar in action than most anybody else in the English-speaking media. While, like everyone else, he's taken by the obvious skill on display by the Brazilian, he warns that Neymar's been overly protected by Brazilian referees and has also called his character into question.
The problem here is that Neymar is a child of the contemporary criteria of Brazilian referees, a fruit of the poisoned tree. I have never seen a player who dives so often and so theatrically... The Boy Prince of the Brazilian game, there is something of the spoilt brat about Neymar. He can scream and shout when he does not get his way, and also lose his focus. Against Argentina, in the big game of the recent South American Under-20 Championships, he was too busy diving and arguing to play much football.
These are criticisms I've seen before (SB Nation's Kevin McCauley has described Neymar's attitude issues as extremely problematic), and I subscribe to, to some extent. I don't get to watch Santos as much as I might like, so my opinion is hardly relevant here, but it does seem like Neymar's a big risk to go all Robinho on everyone should his potential move to England not go particularly well.
Which isn't to say he's not phenomenally gifted or anything - he clearly is. But all players come with risks, and Neymar's appears to be greater than the likes of Alexis Sanchez or Eden Hazard. It's something to bear in mind.
Other Stuff
I mentioned in a previous post that Frank Arnesen was looking to bring Chelsea and England U-21 defender Michael Maniceene to HSV Hamburg in the summer, which I was pretty ok with. Now there are rumours that he also wants Josh McEachran, who Chelsea still haven't signed to a long term deal thanks to the managerial situation.
Dear Frank Arnesen: GO TO HELL. OURS.