January 2023 Transfer Rumours, Discussions and Done Deals Thread

[pauliewalnuts]

Coutinho is, quite clearly, potentially world class. Whether we ever see it again is debatable, but I'd be happy to give him a chance as he has yet to play a single minute for us under a competent manager.

That is my take on him as well.

[Toronto Villa]

We watched a group of players who have been massively underperforming suddenly win 2 league games on the trot under a new manager. So why wouldn’t we want to see what our star player; and he absolutely is when in form, get a chance also? It’s madness to just give up on him because he was shit under the former manager.

[SoccerHQ]

We watched a group of players who have been massively underperforming suddenly win 2 league games on the trot under a new manager. So why wouldn’t we want to see what our star player; and he absolutely is when in form, get a chance also? It’s madness to just give up on him because he was shit under the former manager.

Think pace of prem is a little too much for him now. That said he can certainly make an impact off the bench in certain games and win us points so hopefully that will be his role from now on and then I think they'll be a parting of the ways in the summer.

[Toronto Villa]

There are plenty of players who have found a way to compensate for age through positioning and intelligence. Look at players like Zola a while back or even slightly more recently David Silva. Similar types of player who adjusted as they got older, but critically that had managers who knew how to use them. That was never happening under Gerrard. It might happen under Emery.

[cdbearsfan]

I'd agree I'm not sure how reliable he is if you want a player to play ninety minutes, even more so if you expect him to do so two or three times a week. But with five subs there has never been a better time to have a player like him.

[OCD]

In an ideal world, he could become a modern-day Petrov but I suspect the league's just moved on too much from when he last played in it.

[KevinGage]

Barnsley “could” bid for Mbappe I suppose.

Now being reported by Football Insider on Twitter.

Following my extensive three week scouting mission, I conclude he might be just what Barnsley need.

[N'ZMAV]

Coutinho is, quite clearly, potentially world class. Whether we ever see it again is debatable, but I'd be happy to give him a chance as he has yet to play a single minute for us under a competent manager.

would be good to see him coached properly and play in a team with good direction and tactics

[paul_e]

I think some are going a bit early on his demise as a top class player. Lets not forget 10-11 months ago he joined and got 4 goals and 3 assists in 8 matches before Gerrard shit the bed and changed our shape to protect the fullbacks and empty midfield. Since then every time he's played he's been 20-30 yards too deep and being asked to do far too much defensive work. If it were down to me I'd not be making any decisions until the summer and trying to get 10-15 starts out of him in the 2nd half of the season to see if he can find his form. If he gets to even where he was last winter he'll be enough to drive us up into the top half, especially if we do bring in some like Joao Pedro (which is a link that doesn't want to go away).

[N'ZMAV]

Gerrard ruined him. End of story.

[algy]

Gerrard ruined him. End of story.

This. Been able to see first hand with Joe his easy it is to coach a great player to uselessness. Coutinho is class, he just needs the right person to coax it out of him

[Toronto Villa]

Gerrard ruined him. End of story.

No player is ruined. The tactics and inability to change them is what did in Gerrard. It hugely impacted all our best players. That very includes our best player. Emery has a chance to work with Coutinho now and see if he has the motivation and desire to succeed with us. It’s not his talent that is in question. It’s his mindset. If he rediscovers the willingness to get back to that level we will have a superb player again helping us climb the table.

[Clark W Griswold]

It seems to be his head / confidence thing. Nothing to do with the pace of the game or anything like that. He didn’t seem to be struggling 1st half against Leeds at home last season when he gave the best 45 mins performance I’ve seen from a Villa player in years. He’s potentially world class indeed. All the rumour seems to be about him wanting out but that could be the wanky media putting 2 and 2 together and getting 5. I hope so anyway.

[ChicagoLion]

He will never be the player that Barcelona paid 150 million for, injury and age has put paid to that.
The question is can he adapt his game to be effective at this level, he still has the balance, quick feet and skill and ability to pick a pass , he does not have the acceleration to get away from defenders.
There is also the issue regarding his physical condition to be able to play consecutive games.
The jury still out for me as to wether he can be an effective member of a team striving to push for a top 6 place.

[tomd2103]

Comparing international football to the Premier League is difficult, but look at how Messi plays for Argentina.  The team is basically built around and compensates for him not really offering much off the ball at all.  What he did do though was to get into positions where when they won the ball Back, he could cause the opposition problems.

I think Coutinho and Buendia to some extent, need to be given that type of role if we are to see the best of them.  I think Buendia offers more without the ball, but Coutinho has that touch more quality.  I would be disappointed to see Coutinho go without the opportunity to have a run of games.