Brendan Rodgers doubts if Philippe Coutinho was given love and responsibility at Barcelona
Follow Us
Aston Villa has signed the former Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona on a loan deal till the end of the season on Tuesday.
The clubs have mutually announced the loan move on Friday, which also includes an option for a permanent move, and was pending a medical assessment and a work permit for the Brazil international. He will wear the No. 23 shirt, the club said.
Leceister City boss Brendan Rodgers during a press conference when asked about Philippe Coutinho said Coutinho has been a great talent and he’s surprised that Coutinho didn’t work out in Barcelona.
“An amazing player and a great guy. When we brought him in at 19, we hoped to get him to Chelsea, but then he went to Inter. We got him to Liverpool at 19, and he proved what a fantastic player he was. A very humble guy.”
He adds Philippe Coutinho is a player who needs love and responsibility to thrive, indicating that he must have not received the same at FC Barcelona.
“I was so surprised it didn’t work out for him at Barcelona, as I thought if there was a player and a club that were aligned, it would be those two. If he feels the love, he will thrive. He has shown he is a top player and he will look to return to that level.”
Philippe Coutinho had some of his worst times at the Catalan club riddled with injuries and lacking performances. Ever since the player moved from Liverpool to Spain in 2018 for a massive €160 million, he could only manage 25 goals and 14 assists for Barcelona.
Philippe Coutinho’s signing
The Brazilian was reluctant to move out of the Catalan club and preferred to fight for his place in the team. However, a lack of game time and a desire to play World Cup football later this year changed his mind.
Talking to Aston Villa’s Website, Coutinho said that he is happy to have signed for the club and talks about the admiration he has for Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard.
“I am very happy to be here. For me, it is a great club. I have spoken a lot to the manager, Stevie, and he told me about the club, his ambitions and of course I am very happy to be here,” Coutinho told the club’s website.
“I have known Stevie for a long time — I played with him — I learned a lot with him and I have big admiration. OI hope of course to do my best here and for sure I will work hard.”
Also read: “Sometimes you have to destroy a few things. So why not”- Cristiano Ronaldo in his latest interview
Stay Updated!
Sandipan Roy
(207 Articles Published)