He didn't want to play for him in summer, and made that extravagantly, abundantly clear. Didn't sell him then. Was his plan to woo him and give him extra-special Jurgen Hugs every day, in the hope that he would change his mind?
And at what point did he realise that didn't work? Is it measured in special Jurgen Hugs? 100 special Jurgen Hugs with no reciprocation means he genuinely just had to go?
Fekir and Niguez, we're literally asking for trouble.
Oooh, I'm so gonna tell the FA on you....My Niguez is a right fekir.
Oooh, I'm so gonna tell the FA on you....
When we sold Suarez I was far more downhearted than I was when Coutinho was announced leaving. I was also completely certain Suarez would be a boss signing for Barcelona whereas I am not utterly convinced about Coutinho going to be that either. It's mostly a gut feeling but he does lack 'something' the little Brazilian wiz.
He is on his day, and he's had a lot of those recently, a marvellous player, with great instincts, control and technique. Will also score goals from almost everywhere. However there's still a light-weight feel about him, it's difficult for me to exactly pin-point what it is, just.. something. Salah for instance doesn't give me these vibes even though he can also look well off but never as fragile. Fragile may be the right word. I don't know.
Anyways, Coutinho is off, and we have to look forward as Keni said and I am personally not completely certain about what to do next.
When it comes to somewhat realistic targets I think I am leaning towards a Christian Pulisic or perhaps an Alexis Sanchez or a marvellous striker, with Firmino dropping a bit deeper. Keita coming in as well and he'll certainly make sure to replace some of the goals Coutinho scored and he'll also add more power and better balance but never the same amount of creativity. Why we might want to bolster with a 'heavy' striker instead and then make use of Firmino in Coutinho's position.
Also, and I know this is far fetched but there might after all also be a chance with Cristian Eriksen should Spurs fail to secure a top 4 spot. He's still on a rather low wages and with only two years left of his contract a large bid and the right circumstances may make him available. He'd be as close as a like-for-like signing that we could possibly get. Will add even more creativity to the team and works harder but lacks the explosiveness in dribbles that Coutinho's got.
We'll see mate, he very well might.Coutinho will easily be a success at Barcelona. He’s a perfect fit for them. Unfortunately.
Eriksen’s a non-starter.
Phils replacement will depends on how klopp plans to reshape the midfield 2/ 3, now with Can going also.
It seems most likely that we'll have to get 2 players in to replace him - a central midfielder and an option for the left forward role.
We want Christian Pulisic accoring to Honigstein, but no move can happen until this summer
I'd give Crystal Palace whatever they wanted for Wilfried Zaha.
Not a direct replacement for Coutinho of course, but by fuck he's going to be some player.
Why would we want him now we have Salah? We don't need another winger. Playmaker please.We want Christian Pulisic accoring to Honigstein, but no move can happen until this summer
He seems to be able to make things happen. Don't know if id splash a load of cash on him but he's doing great this season.I'd give Crystal Palace whatever they wanted for Wilfried Zaha.
Not a direct replacement for Coutinho of course, but by fuck he's going to be some player.
Why would we want him now we have Salah? We don't need another winger. Playmaker please.
Zaha is a diver. Gets so many penalties
Nabil Fekir. Captains Lyon... been at it for a few seasons now but looks to be stepping up his game this season. Amongst the top dribbers in Europe so far this season I think.
Any links to Fekir surfacing anywhere? He looks like he'll thrive here.