Ruud Gullit has admitted his surprise at Barcelona’s signing of Luis Suarez and questioned the Uruguayan’s ability to make a success of the record-breaking transfer.
Suarez left Liverpool in July in a deal costing Barca +81 million, while the 2014 Goal Transfer List revealed the Catalans will fork out a total of almost +253m over the course of the former Ajax star’s contract should he see out the full five years.
But Gullit, appearing as a panellist for Bein Sports over the weekend, cast doubt over Suarez’s chances of having an effect for Barcelona.
“It is a surprise to see Suarez at Barcelona,” said the Dutch legend. “I don’t know how long he will stay there.”
Suarez netted his first goal in La Liga at the eighth attempt on Saturday, scoring in Barca’s 5-0 win over Cordoba.
And while Gullit is sceptical over his chances of settling in over a longer period, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger recently told the Guardian that he believes the Uruguay star will come good in time.
“It’s not easy in a team where you have such a dominant figure as Messi,” said Wenger. “The game naturally goes through the strong point so in Barcelona the game goes through Messi. It means the other players become a bit more peripheral.
“You could see now when you watch Barcelona, Suarez was a super dominant figure at Liverpool and sometimes you think: ‘Where is he?’
“I’m certain he will find his place but it’s not easy for the players there.”