BARCELONA (REUTERS) - Barcelona shelled out a club record €160 million (S$250 million) to prise Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool, yet one year on from his signing, the Brazilian is struggling to get a game while his former side are thriving in his absence.
Coutinho, the third most expensive player in the world behind Paris St Germain's Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, made a flying start to his Barcelona career with 10 goals in his first five months, giving the team a more direct outlet in midfield and an extra threat with his impressive long-range shooting.
But his impact has waned. He has failed to start any of the La Liga leaders' last three league games, falling behind Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal and French forward Ousmane Dembele in the pecking order.
Coach Ernesto Valverde has stopped short of publicly criticising the player, and neglected to say whether he had a preference for Coutinho or Dembele, the club's second most expensive acquisition at 105 million euros.
"It's a long way from being a problem having them both. It's an advantage," Valverde said last month.
"The coach is pro-Barca, he wants the team to win."
Valverde's recent team selections, however, may offer a clue to his thinking.
Â
Â
There was no place for Coutinho when Valverde fielded an unorthodox 3-5-2 formation in the recent 5-0 hammering of Levante, while he also left the Brazilian out when playing his usual 4-3-3 shape in victories over Espanyol and Celta Vigo.
The coach did pick Coutinho for a visit to Rayo Vallecano in November, but when he saw his side losing 2-1 at one of the weakest teams in the top flight, he hauled off the Brazilian and later brought on Dembele, who scored as Barca pulled off a dramatic 3-2 victory.
In the last three league outings, Valverde has continued to show faith in Dembele, despite the French youngster running into trouble for turning up late to training.
With the lightning quick forward forming a blistering attacking trident with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, and the highly-experienced Vidal slotting comfortably into the midfield three, Coutinho has been forced to make do with cameo appearances from the bench.
It is quite the fall from grace for a player many believed was signed as the long-term successor to Andres Iniesta, who ended 16 trophy-laden seasons with Barca last May to see out his career in Japan.
With Liverpool sitting four points clear at the top of the Premier League, Coutinho may be wondering on Sunday's anniversary of his transfer from Anfield to the Nou Camp whether it was quite the dream move he had imagined at the time.
France coach Didier Deschamps said on Monday that Olympique Lyonnais left back Ferland Mendy will join Real Madrid. Ferland Mendy set for Real move, says France coach Deschamps.
Ferland Mendy set for Real move, says France coach Deschamps
Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha has been given a one-match ban by the Football Association for improper conduct after sarcastically applauding referee Andre Marriner. Zaha was punished following
Palace's Zaha banned for referee sarcastic clap - Breitbart
He's great to watch, but he's not God: Pope sets fans straight on Lionel Messi For Barcelona fans, Lionel Messi is 'D10S', a combination of the Spanish word for "God" - "dios" - with the No 10 on his shirt.
Jorginho fired Chelsea to a 2-1 win at struggling Fulham on Sunday as Blues keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga began to make amends for his Wembley mutiny with an impressive display. Maurizio Sarri's side took the lead through Gonzalo Higuain before Calum Chambers equalised at Craven Cottage.In an incident-packed first half, the
Jorginho fires Chelsea as recalled Kepa shines - Daily Monitor
Solskjaer: United don't fear Camp Nou test . League quarter-final against at the Camp Nou after drawing Barcelona on Friday. United interim boss Solskjaer insists he is happy to travel to
Solskjaer insists United don't fear Camp Nou test after
adtest.supersport.com/football/uefa-champions-league/news/190315/Solskjaer_insists_United_dont_fear_Camp_Nou_test_after_drawing_Barca
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United are not scared of playing the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal against at the Camp Nou after drawing Barcelona on Friday. United were originally drawn to play at Barcelona in the first leg, which would have given them the safety net of playing the decisive return at Old Trafford.
Football: Solskjaer insists Man United don't fear Camp Nou
Leeds: Marcelo Bielsa admits sending spy to Derby training ground Getty Images Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa sensationally confirmed he sent a spy to Derby County training and defended the
Football: Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa admits sending spy to
Yorke, 47, admitted: "Of course this is the biggest test for Ole so far. "Spurs have got a great side. But this United team is playing without fear now, so they should have no fear going to
Key quotes: The Ole Gunnar Solskjaer philosophy | Manchester
Alleged THUG gets DEATH threats after Aston Villa captain struck in Midlands derby THE football fan who allegedly threw a punch at Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish in a Midlands derby has
Grealish Attacked by Fan, Scores Winner | Birmingham City
Neymar walked off in tears after landing awkwardly on his ankle against Strasbourg. Paris St-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel says it will be "super difficult" for Neymar to be fit for their Champions
PSG news: 'Super difficult' for Neymar to face Man Utd, says
Dec 17, 2018 · Australia sense victory in second Test after brutal day in Perth This article is more than 4 months old. Australia captain Tim Paine has sledging spat with Kohli at second Test.
Aussies power to Perth Test victory | cricket.com.au
No one at United is blaming de Gea Manchester United's David de Gea watches helplessly after Marcos Alonso pounced on the goalkeeper spilling the ball to score Chelsea's equaliser at Old Trafford.
'Nobody can blame De Gea' - Solskjaer insists he was right
Football News -LONDON (AFP) - Willian insisted he had no intention of leaving Chelsea after his superb goal sealed a 2-1 win at home to Newcastle on Saturday (Jan 12).. Willian eager to stay
Willian eager to stay at Chelsea despite exit rumours - Pulse
football; Manchester United decided to cut ties with Jose Mourinho. After two-and-a-half-years in charge, Jose Mourinho has been given his marching orders and he's only got himself to blame.
Manchester United sack Mourinho - global.espn.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment