5 amazing stats that prove PSG's Neymar is too good for Ligue 1

It almost seemed too good to be true when Neymar signed for PSG in a record-shattering €222m deal in the summer of 2017. Why leave multiple-time European champions Barcelona to sign for a French club that constantly fail to get past the quarter-final stage of the Champions League?

The Brazilian had his reasons. Ultimately, Neymar's transfer to PSG was always bound to happen. And ever since his arrival, he has not only lit up France's Ligue 1 with his dazzling performances but he has also ensured that the league's viewership will only grow.

However, watching Neymar play in France is like watching a 12-year-old playing FIFA on his PlayStation. It's been far too easy for him and these stats only prove it.

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#1 Neymar is Ligue 1's Best Dribbler - by a mile

Neymar has completed the most dribbles in Ligue 1

If there's one thing that has remained consistent throughout Neymar's career as a senior footballer, it has been his ability to get past opponents with sublime skill and supreme control of the ball. We saw it during his time at Santos, we saw him perfect it at Barcelona, and now we are seeing him in his prime.

If you thought his final season at Barcelona was one of his best when he had the ball at his feet - averaging 5.6 dribbles per game in La Liga and Champions League - he has only improved on that statistic.

Neymar now averages 7.6 dribbles per game - the highest in Ligue 1. The next best is Lyon's Nabil Fekir with a measly 3.7 (among players who have played at least 10 games).

In all, Neymar has attempted 168 dribbles, getting past his opponents 114 times! The next best is Florian Thauvin of Marseille who has attempted just 94 dribbles, completing 71.

#2 Neymar can break own career-high for league goals in a season

Neymar is scoring a goal a game in Ligue 1

Prior to joining PSG, Neymar's best goal tally in La Liga was 24 goals in the 2015/16 season. This was the season when Lionel Messi had a relatively poor campaign (keyword: relative) scoring only 26 goals.

Neymar was slowly displaying signs of maturing and taking up the mantle before his eventual departure from the Camp Nou. Despite only scoring 13 goals in his final season with the Blaugrana, he still managed 11 assissts.

At PSG, the Brazilian already has 15 goals. What's more, he has only played 15 games! Very few players have scored at the rate of one goal per game (or more) over a season - Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

It proves why Neymar was ready to move to PSG - he can now compete with these two for the Ballon d'Or. But padding his stats in Ligue 1 certainly won't help his cause unless PSG go on to win the big one - the Champions League.

#3 Neymar creates a chance with every 18th pass

Neymar's passes not only create chances but also enthrall the crowd

Despite Neymar's natural tendency to go on a few solo runs that have become commonplace in his career (he did win a Puskas Award with a mazy run at Santos after all), he does still look for teammates in better positions.

Playing predominantly on the left, it is no wonder then that the majority of PSG's attacks come from the left flank. 39% of PSG's attacks come from Neymar's side of the pitch.

In 15 games, the Brazilian forward has made 56 key passes. In a team that is overflowing with talent that can share the burden in attack, the fact that he can come up with such numbers is astonishing.

PSG attacks through Neymar nearly 40% of the time

The only player with more key passes is Marseille's Dimitri Payet (58 key passes). However, the French midfielder has played 16 games and is undoubtedly the star of his team.

Payet also plays in midfield - in the hole behind the striker - so it gives him the opportunity to create more. Out on the left, Neymar's options are automatically halved as he can only pass to the right compared to Payet. He needs to drift in if he to create more passing options.

#4 Neymar is the only player to hit double figures for goals and assists

Neymar-Mbappe-Cavani - the new trio that is terrifying defences

Edinson Cavani is a lucky man considering he has Neymar on the left, Kylian Mbappe on the right, and Angel Di Maria when one of the two are unavailable. It ensures he has constant service - which is why he leads Ligue 1 with 20 goals.

But the only reason he's in the lead is probably because Neymar has played 5 games fewer. Where the Brazilian is far ahead of the pack is the assists column.

With little over half the season complete, Neymar has 11 assists - the highest in Ligue 1. The next best are his temmate Kylian Mbappe and Marseille's Florian Thauvin (8 assists each). Both players have played more games than Neymar.

By the end of the season, Neymar may not overhaul Cavani for the Golden Boot. But he will probably finish as the player involved in the most goals.

15 goals and 11 assists puts his involvement in 26 goals in all. Cavani only has 3 assists (involved in 23 goals). No other player has been involved in at least 20 goals.

#5 Neymar is the most-fouled player in Ligue 1

Neymar is fouled frequently in Ligue 1

When you're the star of the show, the likelihood of having a target painted on your back only increases. It is the case with Neymar who is constantly fouled in Ligue 1 by opponents who simply cannot keep up with his pace and trickery with the ball at his feet.

This is also one of the reasons why Barcelona have missed Neymar. The 25-year-old was the most fouled player in Europe since his move to the Camp Nou (an astonishing 431 times). But that was at an average of 2.3 fouls per game.

That number has only gone up since his move to Paris. On average, Neymar is fouled 5 times per game in Ligue 1 - no other player has been fouled more often.

The only other players who comes close are Lyon's magical Nabil Fekir who is fouled only 4.2 times per game while Bordeaux's Malcom is fouled 3.1 times per game. No other player in the league is fouled more than 3 times per game.

As if denying PSG goals wasn't tough enough, conceding penalties when he is fouled in the box only made it tougher - although the constant fights between Neymar and Cavani to take penalties certainly provides for some light entertainment.