Steven Gerrard is enamored by what Coutinho brings to the table at Aston Villa, but the former Rangers manager is in no hurry to sign the Brazilian permanently. Coutinho has had a storied career, but it does not take away that he is a brilliant player.
Many players have thrived in a particular environment, only to fold up elsewhere. Phillipe Coutinho is a household name in England. The exploits of the Brazilian in the English Premier League is well-documented, as he took the league by storm when he played for Liverpool.
Coutinho will be recorded as a player who found the Premier League his natural habitat. Coutinho joined Liverpool from Inter Milan after a failed tenure at Inter Milan and a loan spell at Espanyol. The £8.5 million found a home in Liverpool and thrived well before the arrival of Klopp. Coutinho formed a lethal partnership with Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez.
Upon the arrival of Klopp, he failed to see Coutinho as a fit for his plans and when Barcelona came calling, he shipped him out. The Brazilian cost Barcelona a whopping £105 million, rising to £142 million.
It didn’t work well for Coutinho at Barcelona, and after a loan spell at Bayern Munich and a return to Barcelona, he is on loan to Aston Villa.
Gerrard in no rush to sign Coutinho
The return to the Premier League is working out well for Phillipe Coutinho. The Brazilian has shown brilliant form since his return, raising the issue of his future at Villa Park.
Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard has rubbished talk of Coutinho’s future at Aston Villa. According to the Liverpool legend, it is senseless to discuss the Brazilian's future at Aston Villa now. Gerrard has asked Villa fans to simply enjoy the brilliance of the world-class talent in their midst.
It was a coup of significant proportions for Aston Villa in the January transfer window, when they completed the loan signing of Coutinho till the end of the season. The Brazilian has enjoyed a new lease of life following his return to the Premier League.
As per bookmakers, Villa could get Coutinho permanently in the summer. However, Gerrard wants to focus on the work at hand first. He is waiting till the end of the season to sort things out.
Coutinho could secure a permanent stay at Villa
Last weekend, Aston Villa did a demolition job on Southampton. Coutinho was instrumental in the victory, as Aston Villa smashed the Saints 4-0. Leeds United will be cautious when they take on Villa on Thursday.
Coutinho still has a contract with Barcelona till 2023. Aston Villa could buy the Brazilian international for £33 million (€40m). Steven Gerrard is preoccupied with getting the best out of Coutinho for the rest of the season. He is not ready to bother himself with the details of keeping his former teammate permanently.
According to Gerrard, Coutinho is comfortable and happy. He is delighted with his football, and Villa fans should understand that he is a world-class talent.
By :
Steven D. Thompson
