It’s a match! Aston Villa and Steven Gerrard saw it fit to hand Brazillian playmaker Philippe Coutinho a four-year deal to stay with the club after an imposing six-month loan spell at Villa Park.
The trial period is over for Coutinho as he finally puts his bad stint at Barcelona behind him and finds his permanent residents in Birmingham. The two clubs are said to have agreed to a deal in the region of €20m (£17m) for Phil.
Added to the deal, probably to help Barca regain some funds from the £146m spent on him in 2018 when he left Liverpool, they have attached a 50 per cent sell-on clause.
"Aston Villa have signed Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho on a four-year deal from Barcelona for €20m (£17m).Barcelona say they have agreed a sell-on clause with Villa that will entitle them to 50 per cent of any fee, should the Premier League side sell Coutinho. (Via: Sky Sports)"
Philippe Coutinho: A New Lease of Life at Villa Park
Barca’s second-most expensive signing in the club’s history found a new lease of life playing under his former teammate, Steven Gerrard. Since becoming a Villain, the little magician has made an instant impact and aided in a fairly decent first Premier League campaign for the manager.
His first bit of contribution came against his and Gerrard’s old foes, Manchester United. Coming on from the substitution bench in the 68th minute, he would go on to score Villa’s second goal, which secured a point against a sinking ship that is United.
His half a season has been inspiring, and one can only be excited for what’s ahead under Gerrard with a full preseason at the club for both men. He has played 16 games this term, scoring four and assisting another three goals but more is expected from him now that he has signed a four-year deal.
Aston Villa is delighted to announce the permanent signing of Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona for an undisclosed fee! 🙌
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 12, 2022
Re-Enacting His Liverpool Days
What Stevie G and the club want from Philippe from here on out is for him to recapture the form that afforded him a move to Camo Nou; the form that saw him get labelled as one of the best playmakers at the time.
His 54 goals and 42 assists in 197 games for Liverpool are what helped put them back on the map. The Anfield club were reluctant to sell him, especially as they were under the impression: that they were on the brink of something special.
So Philippe Countinho’s talent plus experience must not be undermined. He has a lot in his locker and the lock just needs to be picked to unleash his long-rangers, exquisite pin-point passes, and Samba touches.
What would be amazing, if Steven Gerrard could achieve it, is to get a system that suits both Philippe Countinho and Emi Buendia. To have both men on the pitch at the same time should be the ultimate goal.