Philippe Coutinho Starting To Shine At Barcelona

Barcelona have been simply sublime in 2017/18 and Philippe Coutinho’s recent form has been a key factor in their success. Liverpool were disappointed to see the Brazilian depart but the Reds couldn’t say no to Barcelona’s mammoth £142 million bid. It took Coutinho a few months to adjust to the Spanish game but Barca are now flourishing from his extensive and varied skillset.

Their hopes of an unbeaten campaign were shattered by Levante in the penultimate league game of the season – much to the dismay of Barcelona’s passionate fan base. In that fixture, Coutinho notched his first hat trick for the club and the Brazil international is starting to look right at home in Ernesto Valverde’s midfield. He has now been directly involved in 11 goals in his last nine Barcelona games.

Philippe Coutinho has scored his first hat-trick for Barcelona in his 21st game for the club:

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This game is crazy. pic.twitter.com/ArvrJV82az

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 13, 2018

Next season could be Coutinho’s time to sparkle. Capable of turning a game on its head in the blink of an eye, the 25-year-old looks destined to enjoy a very successful career at Camp Nou and he will endear himself to the Barcelona faithful in time. Whether Valverde stays at the club or not, Coutinho will expect to hold his own for the Catalans and he can be one of Barcelona’s main men for the best part of a decade.

Coutinho, nicknamed the ‘Little Magician’ by some in the media, is a fantastic footballer and many believe that he will mature into one of the best players in the world during his time at Camp Nou. Playing alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, he has the chance to cement his status as one of football’s most gifted attacking midfielders and Barcelona will be very strong again in 2018/19.

But before that, Coutinho will head to the World Cup with his native Brazil. Tite’s men have been well backed to lift the Jules Rimet Trophy this summer and William Hill have Brazil at 9/2 to win the tournament. The most successful nation in World Cup history, their last win came back in 2002 – Coutinho can lead his country to international glory this summer.

Barcelona fell short in this season’s Champions League; that 3-0 defeat to Roma will haunt Coutinho and co for some time. Next year though, La Blaugrana can get back to the summit of European football. Barca’s league form this campaign has been sensational – a return to the Champions League final after a barren spell must be the club’s number one priority. For Coutinho, the chance to win Europe’s elite club competition will be a dream come true.

Without a doubt, Philippe Coutinho is an elite prospect. Is he up there with the best players on the planet? Not yet. But he does have the potential to hold his own at Barcelona and that is some feat. Starring for Brazil this summer, Coutinho will be looking to help make amends for Brazil’s struggles at the 2014 World Cup and he could play a pivotal role for Tite’s side in the coming weeks.