The transfer window isn’t even open yet and we’ve already had the Mario Gotze saga, now the Philippe Coutinho saga looks set to run this summer.
The Reds’ No.10 is readying for Brazil’s opening game of the Copa America, against Ecuador on Saturday night / Sunday morning (UK) and has been discussing many things with Brazilian journalists.
He’s quoted as saying: “I miss winning cups. Copa América is another opportunity for me, because every player dreams of winning cups.”
It’s a pretty bizarre claim, given that Coutinho’s silverware consists of one Italian Cup, one Italian Super Cup, and one FIFA Club World Cup – all won in 2010/2011 while with Inter Milan and Coutinho himself never appeared in any of three finals.
Meanwhile, the 23-year-old has become an established name in European football at Liverpool, and won the club’s player of the year for the last two seasons.
Liverpool lost two finals this season, with Coutinho scoring the equaliser against Man City in the League Cup final, but missing his penalty in the shootout.
He was influential in getting to the Europa League final, but failed to show in the final itself against Sevilla.
Perhaps it’s just an off the cuff phrase and hopefully not an ill-advised hint at wanting to move away in order to win trophies.
Coutinho’s comments come the day after PSG were linked with a £46 million move for the Brazilian.
“Brazil can always count on great players,” he also said. “I can feel the high level during training. I’m surrounded by players who understand me.”
Hopefully Liverpool can sign more players of Coutinho’s quality and ambitions this summer, rather than lose another key player for a third consecutive summer in a row following the departures of Raheem Sterling and Luis Suarez in recent years.
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