Coutinho ‘doesn’t fit the puzzle at Barca’ says ex-Nou Camp star

Former Barcelona defender Frank de Boer says that, though Philippe Coutinho is “an unbelievable player” he “doesn’t fit the puzzle” at Barcelona. Coutinho joined Barca from Liverpool for £114m two years ago but his move has not been a success. He is currently on loan at Bayern Munich. De Boer told TalkSPORT that Coutinho has […]
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sambafoot_admin
2020-05-13 18:21:00

Former Barcelona defender Frank de Boer says that, though Philippe Coutinho is "an unbelievable player" he "doesn’t fit the puzzle" at Barcelona.

Coutinho joined Barca from Liverpool for £114m two years ago but his move has not been a success. He is currently on loan at Bayern Munich.

De Boer told TalkSPORT that Coutinho has suffered from the presence of Lionel Messi in the Barca setup.

"I think Coutinho was a player where everything [went through] him, every ball went to him at Liverpool. He could probably do less work, basically what Messi does with Barcelona.

"And the thing is you see how everything works together, it's like a machine. If one is not doing it it's fine maybe, they can handle that, but if it's two similar types of players, that they also want every ball and have that special position in the team, then you see how vulnerable a team can be.

"I think we saw that with Barcelona. There's only one that can do that now and that is Messi. The team is adapting and if you have to adapt for two players like this, it's difficult.

"I think Coutinho is an unbelievable player but sometimes he doesn't fit the puzzle and maybe with another club it will go perfectly well.

"It doesn't mean he is a bad player. It doesn't mean that you are not a great player when you can't play for Barcelona – no."

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