IT
STAR WHO HAS LOST HIS SPARKLE
Steve Bates
HIS nickname growing up was “Pequeno Magico” – the Little Magician – but for Philippe Coutinho the stardust has faded.
As former club Liverpool celebrate their first title in 30 years, Coutinho is at a career crossroads.
Barcelona – who coughed up £142million to sign him from Anfield in
January 2018 – farmed him out on loan to Bayern Munich last August at a cost of £600,000 a game to the Germans.
His undoubted talent has flickered in spells in the Bundesliga – notably a hattrick and two assists against Werder Bremen in December and two goals in the pre-lockdown 6-0 win at Hoffenheim.
But the Brazilian has been overshadowed by the exploits of striker Robert Lewandowski and attacking midfielder Serge Gnabry.
Bayern have not activated the £110million clause to make Coutinho’s loan a permanent deal and a return to a Barcelona side in as much turmoil as the midfielder himself looks the likeliest option.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is a big fan and is believed to have an interest in Coutinho – but no move is likely with Mesut Ozil still in the building.
Coutinho is said to be on Everton’s radar too – but the destinations the 28-year-old South American would really entertain aren’t opening their doors to him. Liverpool, both Manchester giants and Chelsea are showing no appetite in bringing the playmaker back to the Premier League – and his options are dwindling fast.
But the Brazilian insists he still has plenty to offer – and can recapture his old magic.
Coutinho said: “I always think I can do better. I always work hard and always think I can improve and learn. Playing at 10 is the position I prefer most and where I feel I can help the team the best. But I’ve always said I need to be prepared to play where the coach wants.”
Ambitions
Despite forcing his way out of Liverpool, which left a sour taste for many fans, Coutinho is happy they have broken their Premier League duck.
And he has nothing but admiration for Jurgen Klopp (above), who tried to persuade him to fulfil his ambitions at Liverpool. “Klopp – I have no words to say. He is a great coach and is exceptional at what he does,” said the Brazilian.
“With him it’s all about the mentality, about always staying completely focused, and that is something I will always carry with me.”
With a Bundesliga title medal to add to the two La Liga crowns he’s won at Barcelona, Coutinho can focus on getting back in football’s shop window in the Champions League next month.
Bayern are 3-0 up from the first leg of their last-16 tie at Chelsea and should cruise to the quarter-finals.
It could be the last chance for the Little Magician to show the Premier League he’s a gamble worth taking.