7 - Philippe Coutinho - V1

[Centauri B]

The price we paid for Dembele and Coutinho don't bother me too much to be honest. Especially if you consider their age.

But we need to offload a few players this summer.

This is the market right now. As Coutinho is an established 25-year-old world-class talent and Dembele is a highly promising youngster, the fees would always be massive As revenues for the major clubs rise, so will the signing fees and wages rise in tandem. It's how capitalism operates, for good or ill.

In before Liverpool end up winning the CL this season and Coutinho - Barca become the laughing stock

As unlikely as that may be, it's not impossible. Would be a nightmare for us.

No doubt he's gonna be a good addition to the team. However, this probably is the wrong timing considering the fact we have to get Dembele settled to be able to have a shot at CL. But, with such a star brought in mid-way, how are we going to do that!?

Unless and until Iniesta can be rested and he himself can maintain his God level even by lending his minutes to Coutinho and he remains injury free. AND this move does not kill Dembele's chances of settling down well, this would remain wrong timing

Why would Coutinho's arrival interfere with Dembele's integration into the team? If anything, it should help, not only by taking off some of the pressure from Dembele, but also from the mere addition of one more world-class player into our squad. The more great players Dembele has around him, the easier it would be for him to deliver, it's not like they play the same position. As for Iniesta's minutes, he is our oldest player and could use lots of bench time. As Iniesta has always been a big-game player, we will definitely give Coutinho the priority in term of league games and Iniesta can save his diminishing energy for the few but uber-crucial CL knock-out fixtures coming up. I don't think that there can be any doubt that this is what Valverde and co. are planning for.

 

[unknowngenius10]

He isn't overrated. I'm a Liverpool fan and he is by far our best player, can make something out of nothing. Dribbles past players like they aren't even there, can pick a pass only Iniesta could find, the guy is a genius, and to Liverpool is absolutely worth 160M. There is no player out there that can come even close for us to replace him with. I wish Coutinho good luck at Barca and have no bitterness toward him or Barca, you always pay fair prices for who you buy from us, and it always ends up working out for you too..

There is zero chance that you will not be delighted with Coutinho upon his arrival, he already fits your style of play.

Thank you for not taking the transfer too personal.
I think you might be right. I mean, while I understand the English football is weaker than la liga football in these past few years, there is no doubt Barca hasn't gotten a player from liverpool who underperformed for us, this gives me some ppiece of mind.
I'm also comforted knowing that Messi will allow Coutinho to have a lot more space than he might be used to in England.
Win-win situation for for liberpool and barca!

 

[unknowngenius10]

Overrated

I was one of the first to rave about this lad , probably 4 to 5 years ago .
He's not overrated ... he will be amazing for us IF we get him and we already know that he links brilliantly with Suarez

For the club's and Barto's sake, I hope you are right.

 

[mesiesta]

Wow, I just woke up and saw the news. One of the best mornings ever!!!!

 

[Sasuke85]

As Iniesta has always been a big-game player, we will definitely give Coutinho the priority in term of league games and Iniesta can save his diminishing energy for the few but uber-crucial CL knock-out fixtures coming up. I don't think that there can be any doubt that this is what Valverde and co. are planning for.

I cannot agree more. Signing Coutinho right now is a smart move.

With Coutinho we can win La Liga. And with Iniesta in his best form we have a high chance to win UEFA CL too.

 

[Chainsaw]

Wow, I just woke up and saw the news. One of the best mornings ever!!!!

Wow, you must be a heavy sleeper!

 

[Dan1983]

Have a few family members who are Liverpool fans and I've said for 3 years now he'll end up at Barca

 

[Joan]

Will we get to see him against Celta?

 

[Ghostmaster]

Coutinho did not fake his injury. The Brazilian injured his thigh and his debut in the Copa del Rey or La Liga debut against Real Sociedad is in the air. [md]

The medical on Monday will reveal when Coutinho can make his debut. [md]

 

[mesiesta]

Can't believe this thread is in Our Players section now.

 

[Jaguar]

I cannot agree more. Signing Coutinho right now is a smart move.

With Coutinho we can win La Liga. And with Iniesta in his best form we have a high chance to win UEFA CL too.

We have practically won la liga already.

 

[God Serena]

We have practically won la liga already.

Nah don't say things like that. All it'll take is a Lucho-esque series of bottle jobs and suddenly we'll be in crisis mode needing to beat Malaga on the final matchday to win the league.

 

[MessiCam]

Coutinho will improve our team obviously. The price is insane though but what would you expect from our board?
Only question is how will we handle his and Iniesta's minutes this season. On one hand Coutinho needs to play basically every minute in the league because he is not able to play in CL but on the other hand too much rest will disrupt Iniesta's rhythm.
Valverde needs to find an useful way to rotate all guys.

With Coutinho playing as a LW, assuming Dembélé nails down the RW spot then Messi and Suarez can be rotated as CF in a 4-3-3 or when Iniesta needs rest Coutinho can play in midfield with a front 3 of Suarez, Messi and Dembélé.

Still a player short to play a 4-2-3-1 effectively though.

 

[Ousmane Dembélé]

Still surreal we got him in January, I must be dreaming.

 

[Messi983]

Injured already.

Bust!

Sell him to PSG.