JUST a year after arriving at Barcelona for a whopping €130 million in last year’s winter window, Philippe Coutinho’s long term future at the Camp Nou is looking increasingly uncertain.
15 goals and 10 assists in 45 games during his first 12 months at the Catalan giant is not a bad return, while he was also handed penalty duties in the 2018 Copa del Rey final against Sevilla as the domestic double was clinched.
Just last October he was finding the net again in a 5-1 Clasico win against Real Madrid. But it now over a month since Coutinho started a La Liga game as blaugrana coach Ernesto Valverde is clearly unable to find a place for the Brazilian in his preferred XI.
Barcelona's director has had his say on the doubts over Philippe Coutinho's future… pic.twitter.com/T0riXdQLPT
— Goal (@goal) January 7, 2019
Coutinho obviously has the natural ability and touch to be a Barca player and on arrival [after basically going on strike to force through the move] he clicked well with his former Liverpool teammate Luis Suarez and other senior figures in the Camp Nou dressingroom.
He was also quickly popular with fans – who especially appreciated his regular tendency to shoot on sight and often find the net from long range. However Coutinho never really found a regular place in Valverde’s preferred 4-3-3 shape.
On arrival he was regularly talked about as a new Andres Iniesta, but it soon became clear he lacked the tactical guile to run a game like Iniesta or another much missed La Masia graduate Xavi Hernandez. Summer signings Arturo Vidal and fellow Brazilian Arthur Melo are now preferred in the midfield three, due to their greater ability to come deep, move the ball simply, and keep moves ticking over.
This was the situation. Look at him. Could‘ve just passed it to Messi. Instead, he dribbles towards him, for no reason. Use your brain for gods sake, Coutinho. pic.twitter.com/75dml3V1ir
— Alex Truica (@AlexTruica) January 6, 2019
A similar tactical issue arguably contributed to Brazil's surprise exit to Belgium at last summer's World Cup. Adrien Rabiot’s presumed signing from Paris Saint Germain next summer is also going to even more competition for places.
Coutinho had some success out wide in the front three – especially when Lionel Messi was injured early in 2018/19. But Messi’s return to fitness has filled the floating playmaker role at the club. And Ousmane Dembele – for all his off-pitch problems – has the pace and directness that Barca really need on the other side of their attack.
Having returned from injury himself in late November, Coutinho has now not started a La Liga or Champions League game in five weeks. So he and Barca are in quite a tricky position – he's a big star, one of their biggest marketing names, especially in South America. However for reasons a bit beyond his own control he is not useful enough for the team.
There have also been whispers that the Brazilian does not always look after himself physically exactly as required to play a demanding box-to-box role each week. “Coutinho is fundamental for us,” said Valverde diplomatically late last year. “He will play many games, and many as a starter.”
But he was back on the bench for the first La Liga game of 2019, getting just a few minutes late on in a 2-1 win at Getafe. The situation is not at all dissimilar to that of also out of favour Isco at Real Madrid. Everyone recognizes both players’ natural gifts and technical ability. But few coaches are able to put them in a position which puts it all to the benefit of the team.
Unlike Isco, Coutinho has not yet made his unhappiness at the situation clear, however it is difficult to imagine him being content with a permanent role as a back up. Whether Barca would be willing to let him go – more likely next summer than in January – is difficult to discern.
Coutinho has some backers among the many different voices who make transfer decisions at the Camp Nou, especially those with an eye on the marketing side. But Paris Saint-Germain were apparently willing to spend €270 million [!!!] on him last summer – and if Neymar or Kylian Mbappe were to leave Paris next summer then such a fee might be difficult to turn down.
Chelsea are interested in signing Barcelona's Philippe Coutinho along with Manchester United, Manchester City and PSG.
{Caught Offside} pic.twitter.com/VopU69bGwj
— Sarrismo™ (@Blue_Footy) January 7, 2019
That craziness aside, Coutinho's reputation would still be highest in the Premier League. Manchester United have also been mentioned as potential suitor, while he still remains popular at Liverpool, and was back on Merseyside in December to attend the birthday party of fellow Brazilian Roberto Firmino’s wife.
It remains to be seen though whether Jurgen Klopp would really welcome the return of a player whose departure 12 months ago appeared to liberate the Reds' perfectly balanced front three of Sadio Mane, Firmino and Mo Salah. The initial deal which took Coutinho to Catalonia also reportedly includes clauses which could net Liverpool over €20m if he settles properly and succeeds at the Camp Nou.
For the moment there is no sign of Coutinho actively looking to agitate for a move, and everyone involved would like the situation to take a turn for the better. But there's just a nagging feeling that the next couple of months will determine whether Coutinho makes it long term at the Camp Nou, or returns to England sooner than hoped.
