Philippe Coutinho

[Arsenal Tone]

Martinelli/ESR----Odegaard/ESR-----Saka

Which one of those places does Coutinho take? Because he isn't a false nine or a Santi Cazorla type CM and neither are any of the other four.

[jayramfootball]

Martinelli/ESR----Odegaard/ESR-----Saka

Which one of those places does Coutinho take? Because he isn't a false nine or a Santi Cazorla type CM and neither are any of the other four.

Well if you look at Liverpool and City - they don't really play a CF. Could a front line of ESR, Coutinho and Saka work? Then Martinelli dropping in through the middle or on the left as rotation/ variant? I don't know, just speculating. it would require a change to what we are doing now, which is dangerous ... i.e. why fix what is not broken.
On balance, I think I would just prefer a new striker and not take a risk on Coutinho - especially given I am not sure he has the right character.

[Arsenal Tone]

Martinelli/ESR----Odegaard/ESR-----Saka

Which one of those places does Coutinho take? Because he isn't a false nine or a Santi Cazorla type CM and neither are any of the other four.

Well if you look at Liverpool and City - they don't really play a CF. Could a front line of ESR, Coutinho and Saka work? Then Martinelli dropping in through the middle or on the left as rotation/ variant? I don't know, just speculating. it would require a change to what we are doing now, which is dangerous ... i.e. why fix what is not broken.
On balance, I think I would just prefer a new striker and not take a risk on Coutinho - especially given I am not sure he has the right character.

Might as well keep Auba there

[jayramfootball]

Martinelli/ESR----Odegaard/ESR-----Saka

Which one of those places does Coutinho take? Because he isn't a false nine or a Santi Cazorla type CM and neither are any of the other four.

Well if you look at Liverpool and City - they don't really play a CF. Could a front line of ESR, Coutinho and Saka work? Then Martinelli dropping in through the middle or on the left as rotation/ variant? I don't know, just speculating. it would require a change to what we are doing now, which is dangerous ... i.e. why fix what is not broken.
On balance, I think I would just prefer a new striker and not take a risk on Coutinho - especially given I am not sure he has the right character.

Might as well keep Auba there

Coutinho would be an upgrade and 3 years younger.
If Auba is not scoring goals he's as useful as a chocolate teapot.
Plus Auba is a problem in the squad - best to cut it out.
We also might get Coutinho on less wages.

Like I said, though, overall, just get a new striker. It still leaves us the problem of getting rid of Auba, though.

[Losmeister]

I'm torn on this one.

We literally need a technical player in the mould of Coutinho. Someone to string passes together in the middle and break the lines.

But he's past his best.

Can he come in and do a job? Yes. But is it a risk with his high wages and age? Yes.

I'd rather we pass and try to find the next Coutinho, but if we swapped him for Auba it wouldn't be the end of the world as Auba's time is done here so at least he's shipped.

this move...

i just pray i am way wrong...

[Alexis]

f**k no, this screams of willian.

the guy's career died the moment he left the dippers. no thanks.

I hope arteta has learnt his lesson with the willian shite

[Goonerfromafrica]

Based on relative form, he will struggle to get into the side behind Ode, ESR, Saka, Gabi ... bit too expensive for a depth option

[DiamondGooner]

Dumbest idea ever.

The guy is going to want high wages, as people have mentioned we already have Ode and ESR, why the fk do we need another CAM? ESR is already not starting games.

Where's he going to play in a 4-2-3-1? he's not going to play CDM so that only leaves wing or no10, we already have two starting no10's and Saka, Martinelli plus Pepe, Auba for wings.

If we get rid of Auba I suppose Couthino could play on the wing but as mentioned, he won't want to be on the bench.

......... just smacks of a Willian esque situation for me.

[Salibatelli]

I just don’t understand why we would go for Coutinho, we don’t need anyone in his position and he’s past it, makes zero sense.

It’s been years since he’s actually been able to perform well.

[Ach]

Tottenham want to sign 29-year-old Barcelona and Brazil playmaker Philippe Coutinho on a free transfer, but the Catalans are holding out for a £17m fee amid possible interest from Everton and Arsenal. (El Nacional - in Catalan)

17m is a no brainer

[NovaGB]

Willian part 2

[Losmeister]

to Villa

whew https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... -barcelona

[Highbury Hillbilly]

I think he'll do well playing under Gerrard. No guarantee that he'd put up good numbers for us. With Saka, ESR, Martinelli and Ode all currently doing well in attack, we're good without him.

CF, CM positions should be prioritized.

[DiamondGooner]

I don't think we were ever looking at him this window.

Its just typical BS the media do, every window they bring up old names we inquired about previously and rehash them in the press.

[Ach]

Aston Villa may face a fight to secure loan star Philippe Coutinho on a permanent transfer this summer as Fichajes reports that two other Premier League clubs are keen.

The Brazilian playmaker, who has struggled to make the desired impact after leaving Liverpool for Barcelona, is said to be attracting interest from West Ham and Arsenal.

Yes please