JamDav1982
Senior Member
Well, yes. That is indeed what I'm saying. Coutinho's a quality player, I'm not debating that, but I wouldn't trust him in CM in the big games. Hell, I hope I'm wrong, but that's just how I feel. I'm English and watch him a lot, and yes he does amazing things, but if we play him LW where does Dembele fit, and if you think as a CM he can be anywhere NEAR comparable to Iniesta you're dreaming. The thing with Thiago though he offers control, creativity (more assists than Coutinho last season according to a quick glance at whoscored), and vastly under rated defensive capabilities (again, check the stats if you don't believe me). But for me the great beauty of Thiago is that he wouldn't be an Iniesta replacement but rather a Rakitic replacement. For a Busquets, Iniesta Thiago would work in a way a Busquets Iniesta Coutinho wouldn't.
Thiago is nowhere near as creative as Coutinho who is a great replacement for Iniesta - a better one than Thiago would be.
Thiago is not a strong defensive player either.