A year ago, Gareth Bale and Neymar were the major transfer stories of the summer.

Barcelona and Real Madrid each broke the bank for these two stars, leading to growing speculation and controversy throughout the year.

In Bale's case, there were complaints about the price, then about his form, and then it all turned around when he became the hero that launched Madrid's two trophy wins.

Neymar went from rising star to dud to one of the most controversial transfer stories on record.

With those stories past, it is now time to look at the present and see how these players have delivered for their teams in the current 2014-15 season. Which one is shaping up to be the better player in the current frame? Are they proving that the price tags were too steep or well worth their while?

Neymar

In 2013-14, Neymar recorded nine goals and eight assists in 26 Spanish League appearances for Barcelona. He also scored four goals and provided three assists in the Champions League, both statistics that should be considered solid for any player.

But the numbers did lie. At least, contextually they did. Neymar was terrific to start the season, but disappeared after an injury at the turn of the calendar year. He fizzed to start 2014 and was even benched numerous times throughout the season under Gerardo Martino.

The problem for Neymar was his role. As a winger, he had always been prepared to be the go-to guy and score the big goals. But on Barcelona, he was not allowed to do that. At least, not in 2014-15, when Lionel Messi was the main man. In that respect, Neymar was forced to pass the ball in ways that were foreign to him. Instead of going forward, which is his preference, he had to look sideways. The result was a mixed bag.

Under Luis Enrique, Neymar is now doing what he does best: going forward and scoring goals. And, as of now, he has 10 Spanish League strikes and two Champions League goals. The first number has already surpassed his stats from last season and he could easily top 30 at his current scoring rate. His assists are down, but no one is complaining when Neymar is scoring more goals than Messi at this moment in time.

His passing percentages are down, as are his key passes per game. But all of this is attributable to his new playing style. He is not trying to be a playmaker anymore. He is a goal scorer.

And it is working out really well for him.

That said, Neymar has only one goal in his last three games after scoring 11 in 10 matches. Is he regressing? Or simply going through a brief slump? The next part of the season will indicate the truth of the matter.

Gareth Bale

Bale's first year with Madrid was filled with a lot of downs and then some heroic ups at the end. After scoring 15 Spanish League goals (to go along with 12 assists) and putting in six Champions League goals and four assists, he has weighty expectations to live up to.

Thus far, he has done a solid job of doing just that. His Champions League numbers are down (one goal and one assist), but he has only played in three games. His Spanish League tallies (five goals, three assists) are decent thus far; he is currently on track to score over 20 Spanish League goals (if he plays the rest of the schedule) and provide 12 assists.

Some are concerned that he has not been as lethal as last season, but again this has to do with role. A year ago, Carlo Ancelotti and his troops were still playing a north-south game that relied on speed in transition. With the acquisition of Toni Kroos, the team's style has turned into a possession game that relies on horizontal passing as much as it does on vertical. Bale's passing stats are a lot higher this season than last. He is averaged over two more passes per game and completed over four percent more of his passes. Not massive changes, but certainly improvements.

Because of this passing system, Madrid tends to spend more time in the opposing half, limiting the real estate Bale has for using his speed. Moreover, teams are aware of his lethal weapon and have resorted to double-teaming him on his flank. While this has undercutting the flashy element of Bale's play, it has actually benefited the team in many other ways. Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema now have more space in which to maneuver and the results are reflected in their gaudy scoring numbers -- especially Ronaldo's.

Bale might not have the flashy numbers that Neymar does, but then again, he was also behind the Brazilian at this point last season.

However, it is clear that neither player is a bust. Neymar might have looked like one at the end of last season, but he is transforming that notion with his goal scoring. And Bale, despite being ever present in the rumor mill, is playing a huge role in Real Madrid's dominant start to the 2014-15 season.