Coutinho’s the perfect fit for Barca RONALDINHO
‘TOP CLUBS WILL QUEUE UP FOR SUGAR KANE’
LIVERPOOL
RONALDINHO has predicted that a good World Cup for Harry Kane will spark a stampede among the world’s biggest clubs.
Kane (right) has racked up 87 goals for club and country in two-and-a-half seasons and the Brazilian legend hinted it could get even better.
The Tottenham star is already on Real Madrid’s radar. Barcelona ambassador Ronaldinho was never going to give his approval to a move to the Bernabeu.
But the 37-year-old former Paris Saintgermain playmaker does predict that the
Barca failed with a £90million bid for the Liverpool playmaker in the summer, but they continue to court the 25-yearold and have made it clear they are not giving up the chase.
And former Nou Camp star Ronaldinho understands why.
He sees a kindred spirit in Coutinho and reckons he would love life in La Liga.
“Of course the decision is Coutinho’s, but Barcelona would suit him,” said the genius who lifted two La Liga titles, the Champions League and the Ballon d’or in five seasons with Barcelona.
“Talking about Philippe brings me a lot of happiness.
“He’s a player I admire. Seriously, it brings me joy watching him. I believe that Spurs forward could seal a switch anywhere if he impresses in Russia next summer, saying: “Harry Kane is already a great player. He would fit easily into any team in the world.
“Different countries have different ways of playing. Some are strong, some are physical. It is a difficult concept to see certain players step up. But he is a great player already.
“So, in one sense, it doesn’t really matter about the World Cup – the whole world is already watching him. I enjoy watching him play. He scores Spanish football has everything that is attractive to him. It suits his style. Barcelona doesn’t have any particular attraction for Brazilian players.
“But if he – or anyone – is to succeed there, they must play with passion. And they have to be happy.
“Then it’s just down to the player’s own imagination as to whether they succeed.”
Liverpool stood firm when Barcelona came calling in the summer. Coutinho signed a new five-year contract worth £150,000 a week in January, and making him Anfield’s highest-paid player was a statement of intent by the club.
The former Inter Milan star slapped in a transfer request – but even that didn’t weaken Liverpool’s resolve.
The word from inside the club is that Liverpool will continue to resist Barcelona if they return with an improved offer in the goals, who doesn’t enjoy that? But if he plays well in the World Cup, then every single big club who can afford him will be interested.” Barcelona megastar Lionel Messi, meanwhile, has mentioned Kane’s Tottenham team-mate Dele Alli in dispatches. And Spurs supremo Daniel Levy is already making plans to tie the 21-year-old to a long-term contract. But, having changed agents, discussions have slowed. Sources suggest the England international is chasing a deal summer. Coutinho is desperate to protect his place in Brazil’s team for next summer’s World Cup in Russia. And Kop boss Jurgen Klopp insists that the player’s attitude has been exemplary this season.
But Coutinho is now one of the hottest properties in world football. And an added complication is that Paris Saint-germain are also monitoring his situation after being urged by Neymar to make a move for his international teammate. An offer in excess of £100m would really test Liverpool’s stance that a player who cost them just £8.5m four years ago is going nowhere.
Klopp and the club’s owners are united in their belief that allowing Coutinho to go last summer would have hurt the team’s ability to compete in the Champions League and Premier League because Barcelona made their move at such a late stage. worth in excess of £150,000-per-week. Ronaldinho likes what he has seen of the 21-year-old.
He said: “I’ve seen Alli a number of times. If what you say is true, Messi is a good judge. I admire him, too.
“I like players such as Alli. He expresses himself on the pitch. He is himself. He needs to keep expressing himself and he will grow and improve with time.”
There was one more question for the Brazilian with the trademark grin: was that free-kick against England in the 2002 World Cup quarter-final in Shizuoka a fluke? “No,” he said. “I meant it.”