Philippe Coutinho

[Vermilion]

Article by some Brazilian footie expert in yesterday's Telegraph lamented the fact that Scolari was too loyal when picking his squad and that newer talents like the Cout should have been included. Easy with hindsight but he certainly wouldn't have done a worse job.

Totally agree, but tbh he's been better off out of that shambles, glad Scholari left him out now.

[Rowan]

I'd have him in centre mid with Henderson sitting in front of Stevie. Let him boss it just like a boss

[baitman]

i cant see coutinho starting in front of lallana. the new guy has a much better all round game.

[Mostar]

Article by some Brazilian footie expert in yesterday's Telegraph lamented the fact that Scolari was too loyal when picking his squad and that newer talents like the Cout should have been included. Easy with hindsight but he certainly wouldn't have done a worse job.

He's been inconsistent last season but Bernard, Willian and Oscar were not any better.

Should have been selected but I don't think his presence would have made any difference.

They failed miserably as their defence was a joke and they didn't have a real striker.

[Cormack74]

He's been inconsistent last season but Bernard, Willian and Oscar were not any better.

Should have been selected but I don't think his presence would have made any difference.

They failed miserably as their defence was a joke and they didn't have a real striker.

Those are the points he was making

Why be loyal to players that aren't actually going to win it for you when you can try someone new was the gist of what he wrote.

[spider-neil]

I think Coutinho is breathing a big sigh of relief he was overlooked.

[Mostar]

I think it would be a great experience for him just to be there regardless of how Brazil collapsed.

I am hoping the fact that he was omitted will inspire him to really try to improve his game and make the cut next time.

[Mostar]

Those are the points he was making

Why be loyal to players that aren't actually going to win it for you when you can try someone new was the gist of what he wrote.

I guess in hindsight it is always 20/20.

Scolari stood by the most players he used in his friendly games in preparation for WC, which was expected, so it was very difficult for Coutinho to stake his claim when he wasn't the part of that program.

[Shaggy]

He's brilliant, don't get the downers on him.

He's still so young so of course he's inconsistent, but he's able to play no.10, coming off the left flank, the no.8 position, he's learning all the time and this season the pressure will be off him to a large extent with so many new attacking players joining.

[RedReet]

I think he’s going to be class next year. He won’t be at Suarez level, but he has the ability to compete with the likes of Hazard, Silva, Mata etc.

As much as we’ll miss Suarez next year, I’m hoping him leaving will be similar to the Henry effect when he left Arsenal and the likes of Coutinho and Sterling will step it up a gear.

Honestly think we’ll still be brilliant going forward next year and we’ll still just blow teams away. If Sturridge can stay fit, I can see him getting close to Suarez record last year with the amount of chances are going to be made for him.

[Gazzla]

Brilliant player who is still young and a little inconsistent but the potential to be something special who will surprise a lot of people next year, he really needs to work on his finishing though to get to that next level

[Chazza]

[ame]https://twitter.com/DanKennett/status/489517971723669505[/ame]

[pondus]

Showed glimpses of brilliance today, I fell asleep second half when he went off.. He'll have a great season, the added competition for places will be good for everyone.

[Mostar]

Coutinho vs Brondby



[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFsBZfYd2Y4&"]PC - YouTube[/ame]

[BigChief]

That was a great watch. Thanks Mos.

Some of those passes were wasted on the ****e he was playing with. Couldn't help thinking Suarez would have got a 15 minute hat trick feeding off his passes alone.