Update On The Future Of This On-Loan Aston Villa Playmaker: What Should Be Gerrard’s Play?

In a recent report, Sport offered an update on the future of on-loan Aston Villa playmaker Philippe Coutinho. It is believed that the Villans are trying to half the €40m purchase option set by Barcelona for the Brazilian talent.

Coutinho’s Impressive Loan Spell In England So Far

Coutinho has proven himself to be a valuable contributor at Villa Park so far. The Brazilian sensation has done well to find the back of the net on four occasions and pick up three assists in 12 matches for the Villans this season in various competitions.

The Rio de Janeiro-born player has caught the eye at times by averaging 2.6 shots, 1.5 key passes and 1.5 dribbles per 90 minutes in La Liga. He has even been careful when distributing the ball in the opponent’s half after completing 82.6% of his attempted passes in the Spanish top tier (stats via whoscored).

What Should Be Aston Villa Boss Steven Gerrard’s Play With Regards To Coutinho’s Future?

Coutinho remains an outstanding dribbler with the ball at his feet and excels at keeping possession moving in tight spaces. He has got the vision to cut open the opposition defence with a killer pass in the final third and can strike the ball with venom and precision from long range. However, injuries have derailed Coutinho’s progress in the past which could be why Aston Villa are hesitant to pay the full €40m purchase option set by Barcelona.

Still, it makes sense for the Villans to consider recruiting the Brazilian playmaker permanently when his loan spell at Villa Park expires at the end of this campaign.

Steven Gerrard can expect Coutinho to play a big role in his squad over the next few years and help Aston Villa push for European football in the coming seasons. At 29, he still has plenty of football left in him if he can steer clear of injuries.

However, the former Liverpool talent needs to be more consistent if he wants to maintain his status as a regular starter in top-flight football. With all things considered, Gerrard should try everything in his power to arrange a fair deal for Coutinho during the summer transfer window.