One player that is continuously getting linked for a transfer this summer is former Liverpool star, Philippe Coutinho. The attacking midfielder is currently playing for Bayern Munich on loan from FC Barcelona. The fact is that he is very much unsettled. Barcelona is trying to off-load him from the previous season. They do not think the midfielder would suit their playing style and team formation.
Since leaving Liverpool in a very controversial transfer in January 2018, Coutinho has struggled in the last two years. He never got his rhythm in Spain. He got loaned out to Bayern just after 18 months at Camp Nou. The Catalan giants signed the play-maker for a whooping price of £140m to replace their legend Andres Iniesta and that hope did not last long. Despite being poor for the La Liga giants, Coutinho has been decent for Bayern this season. He has scored nine goals for Bayern despite not playing in his preferred position most of the time.
What Robert Fernandez About The Former Liverpool Man?
Speaking exclusively to Goal, former Barcelona technical director Robert Fernandez said: “Watching this Barcelona team, you need fast forward players, able to unbalance the opponents; passing and passing the ball is good but you need the capacity to unbalance because it is impossible to win games by only passing the ball. I think Busquets, Arthur, De Jong, Rakitic are important – and Coutinho, I think he should never leave.”
“Barcelona is different from the rest, possession and good treatment of the ball are required and Coutinho has extraordinary quality. He scores often, so I never understood why he was loaned, it is only about finding his position on the pitch. Maybe something could be done better with him or perhaps the player found himself in a bad situation.”
“I think some players need patience because they are the ones who win games. We can not discuss a player like him, able to unbalance, who works harder, who scores often and he never complains. Barcelona can not be allowing these players to leave because these are the ones who make Camp Nou fans jump out of their seats.”
What Will Be Coutinho’s Fate Now?
The Bundesliga giants have got the option to sign the 27-year-old playmaker permanently for £109m at the end of this season. Despite that, they are not so much interested to sign him for that amount of money. They are already paying his wages in full after spending £8m to Barcelona for his loan move.
“I can not speak about financial reasons but on the pitch, Coutinho is a great professional, he loves to work, but for players at this level when they are on the bench they can lose their course. This is not good for the club nor the player.” – Fernandez added.
“He is such a very special player. If it was my decision, Coutinho would never have left.”
Chelsea is a club that is desperate to bolster their squad next season. They have struggled for creativity and attacking threat in the final third of the pitch this season. Coutinho, on his day, can unlock world-class defences. This has been proved many times in his Liverpool days. With such a low centre of gravity, just like Hazard has, the Brazilian can suit the Chelsea style of play. He will be a boost for their attacking strength.
