BarcaMessi
Banned
He had the balls to ask Messi for the PK
7 - Philippe Coutinho - V1
- Thread starter AnfieldEd
- Start date
EdmondDantes
New member
Balls of steel that. Valverde even pointed it out twice after the game. In the post match presser and in the interview for Barca TV. He stressed that wasn't a penalty to turn the lead into a 5-1 score but at 0-0 with a 2 goal deficit.
Was that header his first headed goal in his career?
BarçaBarça
New member
Maybe it will be time for Suarez to get some more continuous rest every second game or so
Arizona Scott
New member
This year the only way he plays with Dembele is if Suarez or Messi are resting. However I think it is imperative, particularly Suarez, to get rest in the league or copa. It is great to have 4 capable forwards so the vets can get some rest, and even within the game if one starts tailing off energy wise. Coutinho himself is not a 90 minute bundle of energy, wasn't with Liverpool, never will be. Coutinho has struggled enough with finding a role and playing it well without shifting positions this year, if he keeps settling in the role this year maybe next year experiment with playing all 4 at the same time.
Well Valverde is playing him as a forward, not an attacking midfielder. Besides it isn't like Suarez, Dembele and even Messi (or Neymar and Iniesta prior) don't turn the ball over plenty (and I would say Messi and Iniesta were about the best players in the last decade of instant decision making of whether to try to beat someone, try the pass no one else sees, or the mental calculation to make the basic play and recycle). It is the nature of playing in the final 3rd where you take risks to break down opponents and it takes some magic sometimes to score goals against packed in opponents (that or just banging in crosses and hope you have an aerial guy to get there--we all agree this isn't Barca dna). I agree he needs to keep getting sharper in some basic decisions and show better judgement--the last few games have been better--even if he wasn't scoring goals he was involved in the link up play that resulted in goals and clear chances. This (more efficiency and better quick decisions to retain possession) would be even more imperative if he stays with the team long term and hopes to play as an AM with Suarez, Messi and Dembele, the latter are going to be the forwards plain and simple. I don't see the shift in Coutinho role at happening this year as it has been hard enough to get him plugged in within the role he has now. I am not against selling him this summer if a 130+ offer came in and a better fitting great player was available for that (or say turn that to an even higher but doable bid for say Salah/Kane/Eriksen/Mbappe).
We would be smart to regularly have Suarez as a substitute (1/3 league matches), probably not have Dembele go 95 minutes per match, and maybe even sprinkle in Messi (1/5) starting on the bench. Plenty of ways to split 3 forward spot minutes into 4 players. Maybe next year we play around with playing all 4 at the same time, if we decide to not sell Coutinho or don't get the price. I do have doubts Coutinho will ever be as impactful as he can be with a team with Messi. Messi is the best player in the world and deserves all the freedom a team can give him, but Coutinho also thrives most with a lot of freedom in the middle/middle left of the park--and thus rightfully he has to try to confirm. I hope he gets better at it, but who knows.
In the end they are all players. Whether they cost 5 million or 160 the question is if they make the team better than alternatives. Malcom or Alena should only play if they are better players, not because they might be better financial values, and neither are in the same ballpark as a player right now for Barca, or anyone else. (I bring this up because I have seen some calling for these players to play more--and I think it is because they are frustrated with Coutinho's value relative to price more than an objective view of which player contributes more on the pitch). The 160 mil fee, that is on Liverpool and the Barca brass--it didn't line Coutinho's pockets, I don't think other players care about that. They could be a bit envious of the wage--but in the end the players know if Coutinho helps them win trophies they all are happier, and richer.
xXKonan
Senior Member
Arizona Scott
New member
I just don't honestly know why a supposed fan of a club would post something like that. And his play of late has been anything but...
xXKonan
Senior Member
It was a joke dude.
YodaMaster
Member
Relax mate it's just a joke.
Btw this narrative saying that club fans have to support their players even if they constantly suck is such BS.
If you support a mediocre player it means that you are tolerating mediocrity at your own club. Mediocrity will drown your club. So consequently you're tolerating the death of your club. That's not being a good fan. A loyal fan wants the best for his club.
Arizona Scott
New member
I just think calling your own player a sack of sh*t is a bit much for my taste. No problem with calling out bad plays and bad games, though hopefully among fans with some balance. No problem with expecting excellence at Barca. I am even a bit more tolerant of insulting your own players if they have bad attitudes--corrosive to morale. Just my taste anyway.
Arizona Scott
New member
It's cool, I just thought it was bad taste. Could be just me waking up stiff and cranky.
Alik
Moderator
Messi showed true leadership here.
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