It seems like Real Madrid are looking for options after their Columbian star James Rodriguez has voiced his concern on being benched and is looking outside for options. According to reports, Madrid’s search has led them to Liverpool’s midfield star Phillipe Coutinho.
Unfortunately, James Rodriguez has failed to establish himself in Zinedine Zidane’s favoured starting line-up and with Luka Modric still to return, his place doesn’t look cemented. After having two decent seasons in Real Madrid, the attacking midfielder is seeing a lot of the bench this season under Zinedine Zidane. The attacking midfielder has appeared only 4 times this season in La Liga. He has been pushed back with Isco and Kovacic starting often.
At 25, the Colombian has a lot of football left in him. His current situation has put lots of big European clubs on red alert. Rodriguez joined the Los Blancos in a £71million deal back in July 2014. After being the poster boy of Colombian football, the fans will be desperately hoping their prodigal son gets his club career back on track. But it’s unlikely to happen at Real Madrid.
If they do sell Rodriguez, Coutinho, who is bringing the consistency to his game, is just the perfect replacement for the Colombian. Interestingly, Madrid will have to compete with fierce rivals Barcelona for the 24-year-old Brazilian and apparently Coutinho prefers a move to the Catalans and has even expressed his desire. Even Coutinho’s agents have revealed that the Brazilian was in advanced talks with the Blaugrana and the deal fell out at the last moment with Barcelona disagreeing to Coutinho’s huge price tag.
Although it would have been quite a battle to watch between the Spanish giants, it seems Barca are more than full in that position. Coutinho is primarily an attacking midfield, who can with equal dexterity on both the wings, but Barcelona have Neymar and Lionel Messi on the flanks and there are currently no players in the world to replace them in that position.
Given Coutinho’s goal scoring abilities, he could break into the first team replacing Kovacic or Isco. He is a highly skilful player with a deadly combination of passing and composure in front of goal.
Coutinho has scored some really sublime long-range goals and has become a dead ball specialist for Liverpool. His vision for players up front is also noteworthy, which allows him to provide some impeccable through passes against teams playing a high-line.
Although it would mean benching one of the attacking midfielders up front, Coutinho could fit best at Madrid.
