Mueez Ajao
– New Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has said Philippe Coutinho can become an important player for the club if he can rediscover his confidence.
– Coutinho, 29, has failed to live up to expectations at Barca since signing from Liverpool in a club-record transfer worth €160 million in 2018.
– The Brazilian has struggled with injuries since returning from a loan spell with Bayern Munich in 2020, but Xavi is willing to give him another chance to prove himself at Camp Nou.
Also Read: Barca boss; Xavi prepares for Espanyol test
– “Coutinho is someone who can play in various positions and he can be important for the team,” Xavi said ahead of Saturday’s match against Espanyol, his first as Barca coach.
– “He needs to re-find himself and recover his confidence. If he does, he will help us a lot. He has an innate talent.”
– Xavi said it is now up to Coutinho, who recently made his 100th appearance for Barca, to deliver, suggesting his problems are more mental than physical.
– “It depends on him,” he added. “He will get chances because he’s a player I like personally. It’s more psychological than anything because he has talent.”
