Philippe Coutinho, the Brazilian midfielder, joined Barcelona in January 2018 for a whopping €160 million transfer fee from Liverpool. However, his time at Camp Nou has not been as successful as he and the club would have hoped for. In this article, we will explore whether Philippe Coutinho is still in Barcelona or not.
The Early Days
When Coutinho first arrived at Barcelona, there were high expectations from both the fans and the club’s management. He was supposed to be the successor of Andres Iniesta and play a vital role in midfield alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. However, things did not go according to plan.
Coutinho struggled to find his rhythm in the team and often found himself on the bench. He showed glimpses of his brilliance but failed to deliver consistently. His performances were criticized by the fans and media alike, which affected his confidence.
Loan Move to Bayern Munich
In August 2019, Barcelona decided to loan out Coutinho to Bayern Munich for one season with an option to buy. This move was seen as an opportunity for Coutinho to regain his confidence and form away from the pressure of Barcelona.
At Bayern Munich, Coutinho had a decent season, scoring 11 goals and providing nine assists in 38 appearances across all competitions. He played a crucial role in their treble-winning campaign last season.
Return to Barcelona
After a successful loan spell at Bayern Munich, Coutinho returned to Barcelona ahead of the 2020-21 season. However, it was still unclear whether he would be part of Ronald Koeman’s plans for the team.
Koeman gave him a chance during pre-season matches, and Coutinho showed glimpses of his old form. He scored two goals in three games against Girona and Elche before picking up an injury that ruled him out for several weeks.
Coutinho’s Current Status
As of now, Philippe Coutinho is still a Barcelona player. He has been included in the squad for the 2020-21 season and is expected to play a vital role in midfield alongside Frenkie de Jong and Sergio Busquets.
Barcelona’s new manager, Ronald Koeman, has expressed his confidence in Coutinho and believes that he can contribute to the team’s success this season. However, with the transfer window still open, there are rumors of Coutinho being linked with a move away from Camp Nou.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Philippe Coutinho is still a Barcelona player as of now. After a disappointing start to his career at Camp Nou, he was loaned out to Bayern Munich for one season.
He returned to Barcelona ahead of the 2020-21 season and has shown glimpses of his old form during pre-season matches. While there are rumors of him being linked with a move away from the club, only time will tell where he ends up this season.