Pretty sad he got his injury right before the October International game selection too. He has pretty much ended any chance he had at getting into the Brazil Squad next year.

Lucas Leiva got the call up though in his place. Felipao seemed bent on calling up a Liverpool player based on their great start.

Based on Felipao's press conference, he did not intend to call coutinho up.Simply no space for him.

Coutinho still has a chance I think. Scolari said players have till March or so to put their name in contention.

McAgger wrote:Coutinho still has a chance I think. Scolari said players have till March or so to put their name in contention.

Maybe, but it's hard to see how he fits into the squad. If he went, he certainly wouldn't be first choice on the left, and I think Scolari prefers Oscar at the #10. A barn-storming season could change his mind and put him over Oscar, but it's somewhat unlikely. If he does go, he won't play much.

To be perfectly honest, while I would be gutted for him, I'd be quietly pleased that he's not going to Brazil. With his slight frame and somewhat spotty injury record, I could see the additional fixtures causing problems.

He could be Oscar's backup, or is Hernanes going to the WC ?

There is no way he's getting called up if he continues to play in the middle.

Put him on the left flank ffs. He's A LOT more effective there. Way too much pressure on him when he's being played in the middle. He's not ready for such role.

something-red wrote:There is no way he's getting called up if he continues to play in the middle.

Put him on the left flank ffs. He's A LOT more effective there. Way too much pressure on him when he's being played in the middle. He's not ready for such role.

I'm not sure it's quite so clear-cut. I do think he can be brilliant in the middle for us right now (after he returns, obviously) against certain opposition. However, in other situations, there's far too much pressure on him (both physical and in expectation).

Against sides that want to play in 2 banks of four and without a true defensive midfield presence, he can be absolutely devastating. However, we've also seen him marked out of games when he's been played a a true #10. Playing him on the wing in those matches might allow him to have a better match-up and confuse defenses as he moves inside. Personally, I like him as the LAM in a 4-2-2-2. This gives him freedom to drift inside and outside as he sees fit, picking the best match-up and finding open space.

donttreadonred wrote:

something-red wrote:There is no way he's getting called up if he continues to play in the middle.

Put him on the left flank ffs. He's A LOT more effective there. Way too much pressure on him when he's being played in the middle. He's not ready for such role.

I'm not sure it's quite so clear-cut. I do think he can be brilliant in the middle for us right now (after he returns, obviously) against certain opposition. However, in other situations, there's far too much pressure on him (both physical and in expectation).

Against sides that want to play in 2 banks of four and without a true defensive midfield presence, he can be absolutely devastating. However, we've also seen him marked out of games when he's been played a a true #10. Playing him on the wing in those matches might allow him to have a better match-up and confuse defenses as he moves inside. Personally, I like him as the LAM in a 4-2-2-2. This gives him freedom to drift inside and outside as he sees fit, picking the best match-up and finding open space.

Come on now. Who in the premier league doesn't play a defensive midfielder? Majority of them do...

It's that clear cut. You look at his performances from this season, and compare them to last season. He's not been himself this season. All his highlights this year have been from the left cutting in. That's where he should be playing.

Everyone in the premier league knows who Coutinho is now. They're not going to give him the time and opportunity to turn and look around at what's in front of him. He's closed down the moment he touches the ball in the middle. The sooner he goes back to playing on the left wing, and cutting in, the sooner his performances will get back towards the end of last seasons campaign. He's not ready to playing such a central role. I know it's cliché and all, but he can handle it physically in the league yet. He's also still adjusting to the tempo of the league. The second half of the season is a lot different to the start of it.

"Every match is a very hard match because the referee doesn't blow his whistle as much as in Italy and every team plays against each other like it is a final. I enjoy it more in England because you have to think quicker. The pace of the game is faster so you don't have much time to think."

I just love when a player leaves a league for a new one and performes better there, and ofc it is always much more difficult in the new league   It has become a cliche

Hes technical, great with the ball, flair and decent vision but Im not buying his hype Im afraid. Hes good but still has alot to improve. Tends to turn headless chicken at times.

Oscar is 10x the player. Don't ever compare the two again

Gil wrote:

Oscar is 10x the player. Don't ever compare the two again

Both are average at best. Oscar IS better though.

Gil wrote:

Oscar is 10x the player. Don't ever compare the two again

Sad day in Brazil when this is true.

If there isn't a wonder kid in Brazil or Eastern Europe we have heard of I don't see them winning a Tournament until at least after Qatar.

Coutinho lost the ball 9 times out of 10 when he was playing in Italy. I don't know what he is talking about. That's why he was sold for peanuts.

Na he's good enough, One below average tournament doesn't change it stop overreacting.

Consistency is a problem but im sure he'll sort that out the way he sort out his shooting.

If Coutinho was bad that game, then wtf were the rest of the Brazil team?

Honestly they were all shit. Elias starting for Brazil Dunga ffs

https://mtc.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/334D9572101226699403289645056_35b3c30c7f4.4.1.7985799903556860202.mp4?versionId=TASpB6mZ81.fmXG8wcUScbVR49W9UbwF

omfgggggggggg

Nishy wrote:https://mtc.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/334D9572101226699403289645056_35b3c30c7f4.4.1.7985799903556860202.mp4?versionId=TASpB6mZ81.fmXG8wcUScbVR49W9UbwF

omfgggggggggg

nobody is denying his technique. he's brilliant technically.

Don't call me James wrote:If Coutinho was bad that game, then wtf were the rest of the Brazil team?

Honestly they were all shit. Elias starting for Brazil Dunga ffs

No excuses. He's all flash no substance.

Big game player for LFC.

Gil wrote:

Don't call me James wrote:If Hazard was bad that game, then wtf were the rest of the Belgium team?

Honestly they were all shit. Witsel starting for Belgium Wilmots ffs

No excuses. He's all flash no substance.

Agreed.

Agreed.

Rather have Oscar, who's no flash but no substance.

Gil wrote:

Oscar is 10x the player. Don't ever compare the two again

Lol. Coutinho is so much better than Oscar it's almost embarrassing given how much hype Oscar had. Coutinho was playing the Copa injured.

Hapless_Hans wrote:Agreed.

Rather have Oscar, who's no flash but no substance.

El Cujo wrote:

Gil wrote:

Oscar is 10x the player. Don't ever compare the two again

Lol. Coutinho is so much better than Oscar it's almost embarrassing given how much hype Oscar had. Coutinho was playing the Copa injured.

Lmao. Oscar disappeared for almost the entirety of the 2nd half of the season yet still tabled more goals & assists than that fraud.

Just because he dribbles better doesn't make him the better player.