By Blair Newman, Football Whispers
The summer transfer window was turned upside down when
Paris Saint-Germain moved heaven and earth, or €222million to be more precise, to sign
Neymar from
Barcelona.
The moment that deal went through, the rumour mill was abuzz with fresh
speculation of who the Catalan giants would target to reinforce their
squad ahead of the new season.
After a Spanish Super Cup defeat to
Real Madrid,
Barca got their La Liga campaign off to a fairly routine start,
dispatching Real Betis with a comfortable 2-0 win. However, their
transfer market machinations haven’t quite gone to plan as yet. One
particular saga, relating to
Philippe Coutinho, rumbles on.
With
Liverpool
standing firm on their unwillingness to sell their star Brazilian
playmaker, it may be time for Barcelona to move on and look elsewhere
for midfield improvements. And the player himself should begin to
consider the possibility of remaining at Anfield. Here, our friends at
Football Whispers analyse the situation.
Camp
Nou has been the location of much change over the last few months. Luis
Enrique’s time as head coach came to an end, with Ernesto Valverde
arriving to replace him in the dugout. Meanwhile, the major additions
relating to on the pitch have been former
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Paulinho, promising right-back Nelson Semedo and former
Everton winger Gerard Deulofeu.
One situation remains unresolved, however, with a long-term successor to
Andres Iniesta
still not secured. The iconic creator missed the opening league game of
the season through injury and, at 33 years of age, he is nearing the
latter stages of a wonderful career. He has been at the heart of
Barcelona’s play for the best part of a decade-and-a-half, but this
torch could soon be passed.
The
player’s contract is up next summer and, on the basis of his latest
comments, he may not agree to an extension. “I’ve still not renewed.
I’ve experienced a lot of sensations I’ve not known before, but I think
they’re normal. It’s a scenario which three years ago I could never have
imagined,” he told El Pais. “Let’s say I’m thinking about my future
when before I wasn’t.”
Earlier this year, reigning Italian champions
Juventus
were linked to Iniesta. And, while he has ignored such rumour to stay
put for the time being, he may be on his way in the near future.
Replacing him will be almost impossible, but Coutinho is one of the most
appropriate candidates for the task.
The
diminutive ball-player has enthralled Liverpool with his skill and
technique over the past five years. Having been rejected by
Inter Milan, at Anfield he has re-found the ability that once made him one of the world’s most exciting prospects.
Stylistically,
he makes weaving runs, possesses outstanding control and a fine passing
range. Tactically, he has been moved deeper from a left wing or
attacking midfield role to more of a central position on the left of a
midfield three, from where he can have more influence over his side’s
possession. In both respects, he is similar to Iniesta.
However,
Coutinho is not the only player on Barcelona’s midfield shortlist. And,
having had two bids for the player turned down by Liverpool already,
the Catalan side appear set to pursue alternative targets, including
Nice’s
Jean Michael Seri.
The Ivorian was integral to his club’s surprise Ligue 1 title tilt last season, with his form making him an
Arsenal transfer target.
The 26-year-old provides the sort of incisive dribbling, penetrative
passing through pressure, combination play and deep movement necessary
to fill the void that Iniesta will leave either upon his departure or
retirement.
Intriguingly,
the statistics seem to lean in Seri’s favour. Last season, he averaged
more passes and key passes than Coutinho. He also had a higher pass
success percentage and, while his €40million release clause expired in
July according to L’Equipe, he would probably cost significantly less
than the Brazilian.
