Former Liverpool strongman Philippe Coutinho has a month to convince new Barcelona gaffer Xavi Hernandes that he still has what it takes to be a part of his Blaugrana squad, according to Diario Sport. The Brazilian, who had also been on loan to Bayern Munich two seasons ago, won and scored a penalty during the Blaugrana’s 3-1 victory at Villarreal at La Ceramica on Saturday evening, displayed a renewed confidence and form rarely seen from him for quite a while.
Coutinho donned Blaugrana colors in January of 2018 after his mega buyover from Liverpool, but has since struggled to replicate the scintillating form he displayed at Anfield. But the return of the Blaugrana’s former skipper and midfielder Xavi to Camp Nou could spell new hope for the Brazilian, with the latter looking positive and lively at the weekend, where he actually even attempted to execute a stylish overhead kick that very nearly came off late in the game.
It is all up to Coutinho now to decide whether he wants to dig in and make it work for him at Barcelona or end up as another lame sacrificial lamb having to leave the club in order to lighten a massively-bloated wage bill.
Barcelona are on course to play five key games between now and the opening of the January market – Real Betis, Bayern Munich, Osasuna, Elche and Sevilla.
Each fixture will be key if Coutinho wants to stay and make his presence felt to the new manager.
Credit: Football Tribe Malaysia
