Phil Coutinho - A Thread

Philippe Coutinho stunned the world during his Liverpool career, becoming renowned for his strikes to the far post from distance before he joined Barcelona in a deal worth £140 million. The deal didn't completely with Coutinho moving to Bayern on loan after his first full season.

Able to play in behind the striker or on the left wing, Coutinho loves to pick the ball up on the inside left channel where he is able to showcase his best abilities which all involve going forward, dribbling, creating and striking the ball.

Coutinho is most notably known for his ability to cut in before striking and curling the ball in from distance. Often hitting the far post, Coutinho attracts defenders from range and is therefore able to show off his fantastic playmaking abilities.

Coutinho’s excellent technique allows him to wrap his foot around the ball & enables him to hit the near or far post, putting doubt in the mind of goalkeepers. This incredible ball-striking technique can often be seen through his set piece deliveries which are world class.

Coutinho also possesses very quick feet and is very good with the ball at his feet. Quick and skilful, Coutinho has the ability to beat one man before pulling the trigger or creating for his opposite wide man or number 9.

Averaging around 6 dribbles and 14 forward passes per 90 this season, Coutinho’s weaknesses are clearly not in the offensive phase of the game. Throughout his career (Liverpool onwards) Coutinho has 148 G+A in 309 games.

Throughout his most productive campaign, Coutinho had 20 G+A in just 23 games, a G or A every 73.2 mins before heading to Barcelona in January, truly elite numbers for a player who spent most of their time during those games on the left of a midfield 3.

However, despite having clear offensive ability, Coutinho hasn’t quite been the same since leaving Anfield. This can be put down to him being the main man at Liverpool, the primary attacking outlet, a role he has not held since leaving, but a role he doesn’t necessarily need.

In his last year at LFC, Coutinho was shooting the ball 4.5 times per 90 compared to 3.2 at Bayern. This negatively impacts his game as to be at his most dangerous, Coutinho needs to be shooting in order to hit the target or to draw defenders out of the back 4.

Contrasting his amazing attacking abilities, Coutinho is vulnerable on the defensive end. He can leave the side lacking compactness, is poor in the air and only covered 8.81km a game throughout his Liverpool career.

Despite being more productive attacking wise when playing on the left of midfield rather than as a left winger, his defensive vulnerabilities have left some coaches deploying him out wide in order to have more defensive stability.

Overall, Coutinho is extremely talented and is a clear threat with the ball at his feet, but has struggled over the past few years due to his surroundings, systems and confidence. Coutinho needs to find a club that will support him and allow him to be him.

That club may well be Leicester under former manager Brendan Rodgers. Coutinho would do a wonderful job replacing Maddison should he leave and if Leicester can produce the funds. Coutinho will succeed again in Europe's top leagues but needs to ensure he makes the right move.

Chelsea are also a decent option but they already have players of a similar profile, Ziyech. Man City probably display a better option for the player as a replacement for David Silva but question marks would arise regarding his loyalties towards Liverpool.

Elsewhere in Europe, Coutinho could strive to become the best he possibly can. Juventus provide a wonderful option for him but only if Sarri moves on. Ideally for him, a move to Juventus would be great should Pep replace Sarri. In that system, he would thrive once more.

Thanks for reading and let me know what you think.
I haven’t done a thread in a while and want to continue to do more in the future.
- Futbol Analyser