Aston Villa have signed Phillipe Coutinho on-loan from Barcelona with any option-to-buy.
Yes, you read that correctly, only 4 years since he moved from Liverpool to Barcelona for a whopping £142 million, the Brazilian playmaker is now an Aston Villa player, albeit only on a 6-month loan but still, this is one of, if not the most high profile signing the club has ever made. An option to buy for a rumoured €30-40 million euros at the end of the season makes it even more exciting if he is to recapture his old form at Villa Park. Yes, his wages might be extortionate, but no, us fans aren’t paying them, and you really can’t turn down the opportunity to sign someone of Coutinho’s calibre when just 3 years ago we were in the Championship, so let’s just enjoy this one yeah?
I think we have Steven Gerrard to thank for this one, friends with Coutinho, apparently Gerrard was in direct contact with Coutinho on numerous occasions throughout the negotiations. If this is the sort of calibre of player we can look forward to attracting under Stevie G, then bring it on!
FACEBOOK | UTV PODCAST AN ASTON VILLA BLOG
Tap the icon button to join our Facebook page for instant notifications of all the website releases.
Yes, he hasn’t enjoyed the best of times for himself at Barcelona, but as the saying goes, form is temporary, class is permanent and boy does Phillipe Coutinho have class. As Gerrard said himself in a press conference yesterday, you don’t get the nickname ‘Magician’ if you’re not an exceptional talent. He has everything you want in a number 10, close control dribbling, an immaculate first touch, the eye of the needle passing ability and a hell of a long-range shot. Reuniting with his old pal Stevie G could be the catalyst to get Coutinho back to his best, and I for one, cannot wait to see him in a Villa shirt.
Not only the fact that we’ve signed, on his day, a world-class footballer, but there are also other positive impacts this transfer has for the club. Firstly, the publicity for the club is massive, it’s a huge statement of intent from the owners to bring him to the football club, one that makes opposition fans think, Villa mean business. The shirt sale figures will most likely hit the roof, it’s even tempted me to break my 15-year hiatus of having a players name on the back of a shirt. Secondly, the impact it will have on current players at the club, for example, 20-year-old Jacob Ramsey who is already showing big signs of progression under Gerrard will now have Coutinho to learn from and play alongside, that has to be exciting for the young lad from Great Barr. As well as Douglas Luiz, Emi Buendia and Emi Martinez having a new South American compatriot to play alongside.
Hopefully, Coutinho will be everything and more we hope for and help us climb up the table and show enough for us to snap Barcelona’s hands off for the optional fee. Whether it works out or not I think we’re in for some exciting times under NSWE and Steven Gerrard.
Check out Lewis blog-site https://lewisclamp1996.wordpress.com/
UTV PODCAST | LATEST NEWS
Check out the latest news from the UTV Podcast camp.
Remember, this is a channel built by fans for the fans. It’s a platform for anyone to come on and have their say – if it’s joining us on a Fan Reaction show or getting involved in our written work like Fan Reports, Fan Stories, Player Focus and the popular Player Ratings or have your question answered on our Preview shows – it is open to all.
It’s a super chilled platform, so drop us a message or use our contact page.
FACEBOOK | UTV PODCAST AN ASTON VILLA BLOG
Tap the icon button to join our Facebook page for instant notifications of all the website releases.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook and Twitter readers, click the respective icon below to follow our utvpodcast social media accounts.
In association with #HerGameToo
#Hergame Too is a campaign set up to raise awareness for the sexism that is prevalent in football, as well as supporting, empowering, and creating opportunities for females involved in the game. The #HerGameToo team are made up of twelve football fans that represent an array of teams across the country, including some that work in the industry who have experienced some sexism in their everyday work. They actively encourage people to speak out about their experiences, whether it be to #HerGameToo, friends or family, or the football clubs involved. We must acknowledge that football has come a long way from the issues that existed historically, however there is still a long way to go.
#HerGameToo are doing great work on understanding and removing misogyny in the men’s game, and are continuing to develop their campaign to make it the most inclusive and accessible it can be. Elevating hard-hitting stories, data and new voices is helping to spread their message loud and clear.
If you would like to show your support for #HerGameToo, you can help by calling out any misogynistic comments you hear or see and give them a follow on any of their socials.
W: http://hergametoo.co.uk T: @HerGameToo I: @HerGameToo F: @HerGameToo
Subscribe to utvpodcast.co.uk to receive instant notifications on all podcast and blog releases.
UTV PODCAST | YOUTUBE
Help us grow and subscribe for free to our YouTube channel.
UTVPODCAST | SPOTIFY
Subscribe for free on Spotify
UTV PODCAST | MERCH
