General Football 23/24

[Shaggy]

Confirmed to Villa. Option to buy. A coup for them.

[Buzzo]

I think its a good move for him (Obvs a massive drop in standard) and, a definitely a massive coup for Villa. As Stevie has developed into a pretty decent manager I can see him getting the best of of Phil.

You'd have to imagine he has turned Newcastle down as well. No way they would not have been in for him.

[Doc_Piptorious]

I think its a good move for him (Obvs a massive drop in standard) and, a definitely a massive coup for Villa. As Stevie has developed into a pretty decent manager I can see him getting the best of of Phil.

You'd have to imagine he has turned Newcastle down as well. No way they would not have been in for him.

Don't get how he is a massive coup.


Barca getting him from us was a coup for Barca as they were getting a then most admire player who seemed to be coming into his peak, but as things stand Coutinho is a player that was unwanted by his own club and by the looks of things unwanted by any of the big clubs in any of the major leagues.

So basically Villa have gotten a player who had an earned reputation of being really good four or five years ago but that no club of note wanted now in 2022.

Do agree it is a good move from the player's pov though. He will probably get gametime and a chance to redeem himself from a playing side of things without the sort of pressure that would come at a club chasing silverware.

In terms of a coup think it is on par with the afore mentioned comment of Everton getting Rodriquez. A once high level performer now only sought by midtable teams.

Fully expect Sky to hype it the way they hyped Ronaldo going back to the Mancs and treat it like someone like Haaland or Mbappe was arriving.

[wiw]

Do we have Villa coming up? You just know what'll happen

[Doc_Piptorious]

Do we have Villa coming up? You just know what'll happen

We play them in April. Plenty of time for Coutinho to have a little early bounce in form and then go back to his crap form

[frank the tank]

I am surprised that for a loan move we didn't go for it. Could have played as back up midfielder or attacker. Especially if Origi was sold too.

[spud_gun]

I am surprised that for a loan move we didn't go for it. Could have played as back up midfielder or attacker. Especially if Origi was sold too.

The wee cunt went on strike in order to force a move the last time he was here.

Why in ****s name would you want him back?

[BobTheCharmer]

We should have been all over that on loan.

Villa are consistently spending more than us.

[wiw]

We play them in April. Plenty of time for Coutinho to have a little early bounce in form and then go back to his crap form

Phew

[baitman]

Did he ever get over his phantom back injury, because i never did

[Slinky Skills]

And don't forget the crap about how he and his family needed the better weather of Spain.





And now on the cusp of returning to the famed mediterranean climate of Birmingham.

[Tribute]

Don't get how he is a massive coup.


Barca getting him from us was a coup for Barca as they were getting a then most admire player who seemed to be coming into his peak, but as things stand Coutinho is a player that was unwanted by his own club and by the looks of things unwanted by any of the big clubs in any of the major leagues.

So basically Villa have gotten a player who had an earned reputation of being really good four or five years ago but that no club of note wanted now in 2022.

Do agree it is a good move from the player's pov though. He will probably get gametime and a chance to redeem himself from a playing side of things without the sort of pressure that would come at a club chasing silverware.

In terms of a coup think it is on par with the afore mentioned comment of Everton getting Rodriquez. A once high level performer now only sought by midtable teams.

Fully expect Sky to hype it the way they hyped Ronaldo going back to the Mancs and treat it like someone like Haaland or Mbappe was arriving.

...think it's more of a coup for those middle of the table teams, as you say he didn't spike any interest in the big six - or enough interest to take him as an option. If Gerrard can get a half decent standard out of him, it'll be good for Villa's ability to attract a step up in quality from what they've been used to. He's by no means anywhere near the player we sold but he's still better than most of what Villa currently have... McGinn, maybe Watkins aside.

[Doc_Piptorious]

...think it's more of a coup for those middle of the table teams, as you say he didn't spike any interest in the big six - or enough interest to take him as an option. If Gerrard can get a half decent standard out of him, it'll be good for Villa's ability to attract a step up in quality from what they've been used to. He's by no means anywhere near the player we sold but he's still better than most of what Villa currently have... McGinn, maybe Watkins aside.

I suppose you could say it is a coup for a mid table team, but then again he has looked, in recent seasons, the sort of player that would be a gamble for a mid table team let alone a better team.

I do wonder how his work rate, or rather that of recent seasons, will translate to playing again in the Premer league. Villa are a pretty hard working team with not a lot of scope for carrying passengers and Coutinho is not exactly a hard worker if used in an AM or CM slot.

Really do not know if he is a lot better than a lot of what Villa currently have. Some years back I would have said that he is without a doubt but four or so years of mostly mediocre performances and low workrate has me wondering if he is indeed still a lot better than what they have or is he like a number of the current Villa team and looks a hell of a lot better on paper than on the pitch.

His patch of goals for Bayern seemed to come when he was bring brought on as a sub, along with some starts, in an inverted winger role on the left side.


Then again he is not a star player anymore or a high level performer anymore so he probably should be judged by the standards of a top player but rather those of a mid table or lower player.

[Buzzo]

Its easy to be dismissive, but Villa fans mst be pretty psyched about seeing what he can do.

A new signing from Barca, with the potential to be a great player again. Good times for a team that almost got relegated a couple of seasons ago. Plus of all the mid table teams he chose them. Its a big win for Stevie, because no way was Dean Smith convincing Phil.

For it to be a success, yeah, that is up in the air, and down to Stevie 'n Phil, but he could replace grealish for them.

[Shaggy]

He's better than Grealish. Grealish out for £100m and Coutinho in for free (for now - and less than half his Barca wage) strikes me as a ruddy good deal