Ty Bracey: Philippe Coutinho future at Aston Villa this summer a win-win scenario
The future of Philippe Coutinho at Aston Villa beyond this season remains a mystery, with Unai Emery seemingly yet to decide the Brazilian’s fate in his team.
Coutinho, 30, is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury he picked up in the aftermath of the 4-2 defeat to Arsenal at Villa Park last month, further raising questions about his ability to play in a claret and blue shirt on a weekly basis.
When the former Liverpool player arrived at Villa Park in January 2022, a transfer partly down to his prior relationship with Steven Gerrard, he took the Premier League by storm.
In his first eight appearances for the West Midlands club, Coutinho scored four goals and provided three assists, however ever since then, he has struggled to replicate this sparkling form.
Partly due to his rotten run of injuries over the last 12 months and also the fierce competition for a starting spot against Emi Buendia, the 30-year-old has struggled to impact proceedings at all at Villa Park.
As reported by the Sunday Mirror (5 February), Turkish giants Galatasaray submitted interest in taking the 30-year-old on loan until the end of the season, but no deal ever materialised, and Coutinho remained in England.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Aston Villa podcaster Ty Bracey suggested that Coutinho’s uncertain future is a “win-win situation” for Aston Villa, with the attacker either going to rediscover his best form to force a future under Emery or be offloaded to free up funds for a summer spending spree.
He said: “I’m happy either way. If he [Coutinho] manages to find some form, like the form he had when he first moved to the club and the strong performances before he got injured, he can make an impact.
“But what I would say is that if he is released, that is a massive chunk of wages that the club can put towards another transfer in the summer. So I think it’s a win-win situation, really.
“I’m grateful that we got to witness him in a Villa shirt no matter what happens this summer.”
“We’ve also seen from Emery in January that we have done a lot of outgoings and gotten rid of the players who aren’t right for the system.
“If there not right for the system, move them on, simple as that. Football is a ruthless game, and we have got to stay ruthless with the likes of Coutinho if we want to move forward.“
In other Aston Villa news, Dan Bardell admits one Villa loanee has “no pathway” under Unai Emery, with a recent signing being the final blow.