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Signing Coutinho would be a huge risk.
The logic behind Philippe Coutinho moving away from Barcelona is something that is seen by the man as a risk for any club in the premier league. The song is called "1:10."
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Philippe Coutinho was surprised to be named in the Brazil squad that was called up for the World Cup. He has not appeared for his country since the first two rounds of the current qualification campaign in October 2020.
Being remembered was important. It showed that he is still in the thoughts of Brazil coach Tite, which could have some bearing on what happens to the attackingMidfielder in the next few days.
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How could he say no to Barcelona? This was an offer that was too good to refuse for a Brazilian creative talent. He had to put himself in a line that stretched from the likes of Ronaldinho through to the current one. There was no more glamorous opportunity. He traded for Barcelona, where everything had gone well, and he was happy. In the list of disastrous transfers, Coutinho must be near the top. He was the second most expensive player in history. It destroyed Barcelona's finances and career of Coutinho. The second part was not hard to predict, for three reasons.
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The first thing that came to mind was the idea that he would replace Iniesta. This was not a starter. He isn't a genuine middle man. He is a player for the final third of the field. Barcelona did not need him in the front three. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez were the other two entering into the veteran stage. The last thing Barcelona needed was a player who wanted the ball to be in his hands. They needed a flyer who could extend the pitch by running on to balls. Before joining Paris Saint-Germain, the role of this one was performed wonderfully by the player. This wasn't Coutinho's game. The whole signing made no sense.
It might have been possible if he had strode in like a man possessed and determined to bend the world to his will. That could never be Coutinho. The player is shy. It has been difficult for him to negotiate. He didn't spark at the Under 17 level in Brazil. He was a member of the supporting cast of Oscar. It took time and love from Tite before he was a senior.
If he wants to play for Brazil at the World Cup, Philippe Coutinho needs to get his club situation sorted.
He was signed by Internazionale from Vasco da Gama before they could take him to Italy. Inter Milan gave up on him and allowed him to go to the other side of the world. At the time, his promise was only realized at a loan spell with Espanyol, where Mauricio Pochettino was able to get the talent out of him. Even if they were reluctant to lose him, they made a huge profit and have been able to finance their own trips to the transfer market because they learned the lesson.
With the loss of Messi, maybe there is one last chance for Coutinho to make the move to Barcelona a success. He could now play in his preferred position. Maybe there was too much bad blood. Barcelona were desperate to sell their expensive acquisition, and this has not provided an environment for a comeback by Coutinho. He could keep running down his contract. He seems resigned to doing that for a while. The World Cup at the end of the year will change everything. He will be 34 in 2026. Tite was sending him a message after that call up.
He may not be in the first team at the moment. He has been overtaken by Lucas Paqueta of Lyon as Brazil's prime attackingMidfielder. He is still in with a chance. The World Cup has a lot of stories of players who didn't think they'd see anything but heroes. Suddenly, it becomes more likely that Barcelona can get him off their wage bill and that he can go and play football somewhere else.
But where? It seems unlikely that Flamengo will be an option. England is the most likely destination for new coach Paulo Sousa, as he is keener on reinforcing his defensive resources. The money and the memory of Coutinho make the premier league clubs strong. According to sources, as many as five English top-flight clubs are interested in signing him on a loan.
There is logic behind an approach fromEverton, as the club are under pressure and Coutinho knows the city. The Edu Gaspar connection is with the club. The technical director is the same one who filled a similar role with Brazil when Coutinho was in his best form.
The most intriguing piece of speculation is the link between Coutinho and Villa. Steven Gerrard, who was a teammate of his at Anfield, has first hand knowledge of how to get the best out of him. Jack Grealish's transfer to Manchester City could result in an upgrade to the attacking midfield positions at Villa. This move seems to tick all the boxes. The Villa coach knows the player, the club needs the player, and the player needs to shine to get to the World Cup.
The Bull Ring is a local shopping centre in the area where Coutinho could find more things to like than the one in Barcelona.
