The Premier League Owl
This doesn’t sound as if Phillipe Coutinho is heading for Anfield, and that’s a shame, he’s an exciting player.
The Brazilian was questioned about the move yesterday, and had this to say:
“The Liverpool offer? I’m happy with these offers, because it means I am doing my job well.
But I think Inter have faith in me and I want to show my value here. I don’t feel that I’m on my way out. I hope to stay at Inter.
The young players feel the faith of the coach and of the club: me, Juan Jesus, Benassi, Bessa and the others.”
(Quotes – Sky Sports)
Not to give anyone false hope, but Guillem Balague reported on Twitter yesterday that Coutinho has told someone within the Liverpool squad that he does intend to complete a transfer to England – take that for what it’s worth, but Balague is pretty well-informed and can usually be trusted.
It would be a shame if Brendan Rodgers’ missed out on the player, because Coutinho is potentially a very useful link between the midfield and the attack – he’s got guile, creativity, and a bundle of technical prowess: essentially everything you’d want in that area of the pitch.
It does look unlikely, a player wouldn’t usually be so effusive with the media if he was planning u-turn in the near future, but wait and see with this – there might be a twist or two left in the tale.
Wouldn’t be too difficult to persuade him though. 1st team football, a philosophy based around attack etc. or on the bench at Inter. Apart from which, he delivered the usual ‘stock’ answer that most players would. If the transfer falls through, he wont be the reason, it’ll be the basic fee!
if he says he wants to leave, he wont get pay off/loyalty bonus like demba ba got from newcastle