Philippe Coutinho

[Glen C]

INTER have reportedly set a price of €15 million for Redsl target Philippe Coutinho.

 

The Reds had an €8 million bid for the Brazilian rejected by the Nerazzurri last week.

 

According to Sky Sport Italia, Inter have told Liverpool to increase their offer significantly if they wish to land the 20-year-old midfielder.

 

Coutinho was bought by Inter for €4 million as a 16-year-old from Vasco Da Gama, where he stayed on loan until he turned 18.

 

Source: Forza Italian

[spider-neil]

I find it hard to believe we'd have moved for the player unless we were given an incentive (by someone in our team who has talked to Coutiniho) to do so.

But then again we for Wesley when it looked like we had little chance of getting him.

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

£12m

 

Erm, howboutno?

[Sangria]

£12m

 

Erm, howboutno?

 

 

With you there. I would say about eight million euros, with add ons, is plenty.

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

With you there. I would say about eight million euros, with add ons, is plenty.

 

I don't mind the young lad, but that's silly talk. We have to spend our money more wisely. Talk yesterday was around half of that, and I'd be happy with that. £12m can get you a decent player though.

[Guest LFD]

I think he'd be worth the £12 million, personally.

 

Would try and get him for less though. £10 million sounds fair.

[sh#t waffle]

I'd sign him for £9.68 million, and not a penny more. Or less.

[spider-neil]

12m? So essentially the same amount of money as the 23 year old, premiere experienced Sturridge. Seriously?

[Lucky Pierre]

12m? So essentially the same amount of money as the 23 year old, premiere experienced Sturridge. Seriously?

Sturridge was nearly out of contract, wasn't he?

[Guest LFD]

12m? So essentially the same amount of money as the 23 year old, premiere experienced Sturridge. Seriously?

 

You have to assess whether you think the player will be worth a lot more in the future or if he can be an asset now.

 

I think Coutinho has the potential to be a star.

 

We passed up the chance to sign Ronaldo under Houiller because we thought the price was too expensive at the time, but he clearly had immense talent Ronaldo even at that age.

 

You have to make judgements, but I think it is a good investment and one which could look a bargain in the future if he fulfills his potential.

 

I think he'd be worth that fee now and could be worth a hell of a lot more in the future.

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

Fair point, LFD. Well made, too. I'm in.

[Gym Beglin]

I think it's amazing that we're linked with anyone whose name ends 'inho', and it's essential we pay double-digit millions in order to show what a funky, exciting, 'vibrant' brand leader we are.

[FrenchEyeGlass]

You have to assess whether you think the player will be worth a lot more in the future or if he can be an asset now.

 

I think Coutinho has the potential to be a star.

 

We passed up the chance to sign Ronaldo under Houiller because we thought the price was too expensive at the time, but he clearly had immense talent Ronaldo even at that age.

 

You have to make judgements, but I think it is a good investment and one which could look a bargain in the future if he fulfills his potential.

 

I think he'd be worth that fee now and could be worth a hell of a lot more in the future.

 

I agree that we need to identify talent quickly and pay the premium for getting them, Ronaldo, Alves and Aguero being prime examples.

 

That said, he is less of a sure bet than any of those. Hes played a handful of games at the top level (at times hes been outstanding, other times jaded), been injured quite a fair bit and generally hasn't had the best of times, Espanyol aside. (this is the general opinion on him).

 

Not saying we shouldn't buy him just that we should also be prudent. This next 10-12m we spend could be pivotal. If we spend it wisely we'll have a fairly competitive team, especially in an attacking sense. Coutinho could be that player but having seen little of him, its hard to say.

[Nightcat]

12m? So essentially the same amount of money as the 23 year old, premiere experienced Sturridge. Seriously?

 

We could have a deal at £10-11m. He worths the fee. You'll see why if we sign him. I'm still unsure whether he wants to come.

[Magic Sponge]

Is he not a similar type of player to Suso?

[Big Cheese]

Is he not a similar type of player to Suso?

 

Nah, this lads good.

[Nightcat]

I just read that Inter are selling Alvarez to Atletico Madrid. If that goes through and considering they've sold Sneijder, I can't see them selling Coutinho as well.

[Lee909]

So we can have him for roughly the same price we could have signed both Mousa Sissoko and Loic Remy

[spider-neil]

Nah, this lads good.

 

Oof!

[Magic Sponge]

From the Mirrors website;

 

'He's like a Ferrari': Our Serie A expert assesses whether Philippe Coutinho could cut it at Liverpool

 

By Mina Rzouki | 22 Jan 2013 12:41

"For me, he's a phenomenon. He's like a Ferrari. When he's dribbling with the ball at his feet, you just can't catch up to him."

 

Juan Jesus, the Brazilian and Inter centre-back could barely hide his admiration, while the Italian club's President Massimo Moratti hailed him as the "future of Inter".

 

Ask Philippe Coutinho what he thinks of himself, and he shrugs. He's embarrassed by all the comparisons made between him and Kaka and his humble nature simply won't allow him to boast.

 

Besides, Ricardo Quaresma was his idol. Yet there's a little twinkle in his eye. He knows. He definitely knows what he's doing and why the world is so fascinated. After all, as a 17-year-old Vasco da Gama player, wannabe journalists used to wait outside in hopes of talking to him and him alone. His more famous teammates were simply ignored.

 

A playmaker with incredible speed, his quick feet and technical skill would impress even the harshest critic. Coutinho is the kid with the bright future.

 

Coveted by so many teams, Inter invested him when the Brazilian was only 16 years old, despite the fact he was not allowed to play for them for another two years.

 

 

 

His talent so beguiling, he combined Brazilian flair with European sophistication and unlike the other boys his age, he yearned for a settled life. Having met and fallen in love very young, he credits his girlfriend, (now his wife, they married on 27th December 2012) for his peace of mind.

 

However, it's his family who made him the man he is today. A player who takes his profession seriously, his father alongside his two older, lawyer brothers would sit with him and assess his performances after every match and training session since he was a child.

 

"My family is the foundation of everything in my life," admits the playmaker. They advised him, stood by him and devoted their lives to realise the player's sporting dreams. Asked why he never seems to go out partying with his teammates, drinking and enjoying female company, he smiles. "I'm a very quiet person. And I have to be, right? My family is always on my ass!"

 

Starting out his career as a forward, he was then transformed into an attacking midfielder at 12 years of age. Capable of always delivering that special through ball that penetrates opposing defences, at Inter he has developed his tactical awareness.

 

 

His versatility has seen him deployed in a number of different positions. He can play as a forward, on the left, on the right or behind the strikers. He can offer something in each position.

 

Never providing the opponent with a reference point, Coutinho is difficult to mark and loves nothing more that to run at defenders. His off the ball movements have improved too with the player regularly seen pressing his opponent to win back possession or positioning himself intelligently to interrupt the other team's passing rhythm.

 

Is he equipped to play in the Premier League?

 

Every talented player blessed with pace, technical skill and a grounded personality should be able to make it anywhere.

 

At Inter, his fitness trainers oversaw a schedule that encouraged muscle growth to make him stronger and better able to compete in Serie A. They managed to do so without compromising his pace and trickery. However, his more muscular physique perhaps explains why the player has suffered with injuries that have hindered his development.

 

As the body gets accustomed to the changes within, the legs tend to suffer with the extra weight and the shift in balances. Nonetheless, he's become less easy to beat whilst maintaining all the individual skill that makes him a wonder to watch.

 

Under Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool focus on a passing game whilst the player's ability to float between the lines and exploit spaces would be an advantage.

 

 

However, his finishing needs to improve, as does his ability to shield the ball. Unfortunately, he is still far too prone to being easily dispossessed and can prove frustrating at times especially when great dribbling does not result in any end product.

 

Consistency is still a problem and as such the player would benefit more from a coach with more time to dedicate to his progress.

 

As for Southampton, the player is very familiar with Mauricio Pochettino who trained him when they were both at Espanyol.

 

Developing into a key player during his short stint in Spain, many critics went so far as to say the side became too reliant on the playmaker. Coutinho benefited from having a tough coach who demanded he push himself to the limit. Pochettino, after all, is renowned for his work with youth and thus forged a good relationship with the player who appreciated how much time was dedicated to his improvement.

 

On his return to Italy, the media were quick to point out Coutinho's renewed confidence and greater understanding of how best to exploit his skills. As such, the newly appointed Southampton manager might just be the ideal man to work with the youngster.

 

However, Inter believe in the player and his potential. Having tracked him since he was a child, it seems unlikely that they would allow the player to leave so soon. After all - he is the man they predicted would lead them into their future.

[robslappa]

Nah, this lads good.

 

hahaha. Is there anyone you do like?

[MikeC]

We should get a move on before Daniel Levy sees.

[fowler9]

 

Besides, Ricardo Quaresma was his idol.

 

 

here we go........

[liverpoolsno9]

From the Mirrors website;

 

'He's like a Ferrari': Our Serie A expert assesses whether Philippe Coutinho could cut it at Liverpool

 

By Mina Rzouki | 22 Jan 2013 12:41

"For me, he's a phenomenon. He's like a Ferrari. When he's dribbling with the ball at his feet, you just can't catch up to him."

 

Juan Jesus, the Brazilian and Inter centre-back could barely hide his admiration, while the Italian club's President Massimo Moratti hailed him as the "future of Inter".

 

Ask Philippe Coutinho what he thinks of himself, and he shrugs. He's embarrassed by all the comparisons made between him and Kaka and his humble nature simply won't allow him to boast.

 

Besides, Ricardo Quaresma was his idol. Yet there's a little twinkle in his eye. He knows. He definitely knows what he's doing and why the world is so fascinated. After all, as a 17-year-old Vasco da Gama player, wannabe journalists used to wait outside in hopes of talking to him and him alone. His more famous teammates were simply ignored.

 

A playmaker with incredible speed, his quick feet and technical skill would impress even the harshest critic. Coutinho is the kid with the bright future.

 

Coveted by so many teams, Inter invested him when the Brazilian was only 16 years old, despite the fact he was not allowed to play for them for another two years.

 

 

 

His talent so beguiling, he combined Brazilian flair with European sophistication and unlike the other boys his age, he yearned for a settled life. Having met and fallen in love very young, he credits his girlfriend, (now his wife, they married on 27th December 2012) for his peace of mind.

 

However, it's his family who made him the man he is today. A player who takes his profession seriously, his father alongside his two older, lawyer brothers would sit with him and assess his performances after every match and training session since he was a child.

 

"My family is the foundation of everything in my life," admits the playmaker. They advised him, stood by him and devoted their lives to realise the player's sporting dreams. Asked why he never seems to go out partying with his teammates, drinking and enjoying female company, he smiles. "I'm a very quiet person. And I have to be, right? My family is always on my ass!"

 

Starting out his career as a forward, he was then transformed into an attacking midfielder at 12 years of age. Capable of always delivering that special through ball that penetrates opposing defences, at Inter he has developed his tactical awareness.

 

 

His versatility has seen him deployed in a number of different positions. He can play as a forward, on the left, on the right or behind the strikers. He can offer something in each position.

 

Never providing the opponent with a reference point, Coutinho is difficult to mark and loves nothing more that to run at defenders. His off the ball movements have improved too with the player regularly seen pressing his opponent to win back possession or positioning himself intelligently to interrupt the other team's passing rhythm.

 

Is he equipped to play in the Premier League?

 

Every talented player blessed with pace, technical skill and a grounded personality should be able to make it anywhere.

 

At Inter, his fitness trainers oversaw a schedule that encouraged muscle growth to make him stronger and better able to compete in Serie A. They managed to do so without compromising his pace and trickery. However, his more muscular physique perhaps explains why the player has suffered with injuries that have hindered his development.

 

As the body gets accustomed to the changes within, the legs tend to suffer with the extra weight and the shift in balances. Nonetheless, he's become less easy to beat whilst maintaining all the individual skill that makes him a wonder to watch.

 

Under Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool focus on a passing game whilst the player's ability to float between the lines and exploit spaces would be an advantage.

 

 

However, his finishing needs to improve, as does his ability to shield the ball. Unfortunately, he is still far too prone to being easily dispossessed and can prove frustrating at times especially when great dribbling does not result in any end product.

 

Consistency is still a problem and as such the player would benefit more from a coach with more time to dedicate to his progress.

 

As for Southampton, the player is very familiar with Mauricio Pochettino who trained him when they were both at Espanyol.

 

Developing into a key player during his short stint in Spain, many critics went so far as to say the side became too reliant on the playmaker. Coutinho benefited from having a tough coach who demanded he push himself to the limit. Pochettino, after all, is renowned for his work with youth and thus forged a good relationship with the player who appreciated how much time was dedicated to his improvement.

 

On his return to Italy, the media were quick to point out Coutinho's renewed confidence and greater understanding of how best to exploit his skills. As such, the newly appointed Southampton manager might just be the ideal man to work with the youngster.

 

However, Inter believe in the player and his potential. Having tracked him since he was a child, it seems unlikely that they would allow the player to leave so soon. After all - he is the man they predicted would lead them into their future.

 

 

Did his agent write that?

[Magic Sponge]

 

Did his agent write that?

 

I'd give him a bell but I've got no credit on my phone.