'We are more balanced without Neymar but if I had a magic wand, I would bring him back to Barcelona'

Rather surprisingly, Neymar's departure to the Parc des Princes is yet to have a damaging effect on results at the Camp Nou, with midfielder Ivan Rakitic even claiming Ernesto Valverde's team have become a more balanced side.

The Catalans sit four points clear at the top of La Liga with 11 wins from 13 games and Rakitic said the team's form is down to a more evenly weighed lineup, whilst admitting he would love to have the Brazilian back.

"The truth is we are doing very well without him here and he's now at a different club, so it is not right to speak about him more," Rakitic told 'Mundo Deportivo'. "We have change our system and we are now more balanced both defensively and offensively, although we still have room to improve."

Neymar hit the ground running in Paris, with 15 goals and 11 assists in 16 appearances across all competitions and Rakitic conceded Barca miss the talented forward.

"We had more verve when Neymar was here, maybe that's something we lack a little now," said the Croatia international. "If I had a magic wand, I would bring him back! He is the sort of player you would love on your team and of course I would prefer him to be here."