JUST LIKE SPLOSHING BRAZIL
Paulinho will step back and let ‘amazing’ Coutinho pull strings
PAULINHO is ready to sacrifice his World Cup ambitions – so Philippe Coutinho can reign in Russia.
The former Spurs flop is prepared to step into the shadows and allow Barcelona’s £142million playmaker to take centre stage.
Brazil start their campaign on Sunday against Switzerland and coach Tite (right) wants Paulinho to provide former Liverpool star and fellow midfielder Coutinho with a proper platform for his talents.
The 29-year-old is happy to oblige. He said: “Tite asked me to be more of an organiser – to let others be free around me.
“And this is what will happen with this Brazil team. We want to release Coutinho because he has amazing skills. Tite wants him to be nearer the goal.
“This will happen in matches. It’s not a problem. I can do that job. All I want to do is help Brazil.
“And of course the manager decides who plays but in my opinion, Philippe Coutinho – he rocks.”
Paulinho’s own fortunes have turned full circle since he was effectively bombed out of Spurs by current boss Mauricio Pochettino.
He was bought from Corinthians for £17m by Andre Villas-Boas following Gareth Bale’s £89m move to Real Madrid. But he soon fell out of favour following the arrival of Pochettino and appeared to be on the way out when he was loaned to Guangzhou Evergrande in the Chinese Super League.
Two years later, Barcelona activated a release clause and brought him back into the big-time.
Paulinho spoke about “a lack of trust” and “criticism” during his time in north London, chronicling his efforts to get back to the beat with the Samba Boys.
He said: “I knew I had to leave Tottenham when I wasn’t being used. I wasn’t playing, so I had to focus on something.
“I knew when I left Spurs I would be further away from the Brazil team. There was some lack of trust and criticism.
“I’ve had that at different clubs I’ve played for. There’s been some at Corinthians, Tottenham and even now at Barcelona.
“But in China I kept working at as high a level as possible because I was sure people were watching me.
“I became confident again. I played at a high level and returned to the Brazil squad, which was my biggest dream.”
Paulinho (top, left) refused to be drawn when it was suggested that Julen Lopetegui’s shock sacking had thrown Spain, one of Brazil’s tournament rivals, into turmoil.
But he did hint at this current squad being more settled than the one embarrassed on their own soil with a 7-1 semi-final hammering by Germany four years ago.
He added: “When I analyse it we’re more confident. We’re in a better moment than then, with more balance. We’re concentrated and better prepared.
“In the last four years, we have evolved and learned a lot.”