A fair assessment of where we are at as a club. I have the same nagging doubts about Coutinho working for us and him actually wanting to be here next season.
Clearly Coutinho is a class player but his performances have been up and down.
Given a) his age, b) his wages, c) the transfer fee and d) his inability to track back/work rate; is he in reality an expensive luxury/distraction?
Would we be better trying to get Buendia fully integrated into the team? His work rate is much higher in terms of the gritty stuff. He has more longevity in terms of career years ahead of him?
For the rest of the season are we better off starting off with Buendia and bringing Coutinho on for the last 20 mins when we've run the opposition into the ground?
Are we better building a team/system into which players can be slotted - a la Liverpool and Man City; or build a team/system that is wholly reliant on one genius?
We're looking to renegotiate the deal with Barca - recognition perhaps that he's overpriced, given what he can give us?