Philippe Coutinho’s Issues At Barcelona Were Unfairly Dramatized—Aston Villa Is Perfect For Him

Barcelona’s players cannot escape criticism, and it’s not just because they represent a soccer giant with lofty ambitions, nor the steep transfers and salaries many have commanded. The culture surrounding them is an ongoing buzz of scrutiny, mainly due to the state of play right now.

In this regard, departed midfielder Philippe Coutinho—its most expensive signing ever with add-ons—stands out, and he has company. Alongside him, the second most pricey acquisition Ousmane Dembélé has endured particularly critical media coverage amid speculation over a move away.

The 24-year-old winger has not made the difference in the final third, with the ultimate pass or shot often eluding him. Tight margins dictate public opinion on success, money well spent and the like. For all Dembélé’s efforts, his quick feet and forward flurries in advanced positions have fallen the wrong side of the line.

Were the Frenchman to follow Coutinho, the rewards would be there. Coutinho has already made an impression at Aston Villa, registering a goal on his debut to salvage a point against Manchester United, and it’s no real surprise. Dembélé’s relationship with Barcelona has reached an impasse, and that’s not so surprising either, given the present culture at the club.

Players make or do not make things happen on the pitch. And everyone sees it. There is no hiding the Brazilian’s lack of impact since his heady days at Liverpool, yet there is more to it. The fact Aston Villa’s new signing has a spring in his step says little about his shortcomings in Catalunya and more about the Spanish side itself. It didn’t enable him in the slightest. Moreover, players have become more like pawns, released or handed renegotiated salaries to stabilize finances.

It’s no coincidence that when Coutinho looks back at his career, he will consider his heyday away from Barcelona. For the Catalans, easy to point the blame when you spend €160 million ($183 million) on a player who fails to burst into life. In reality, though, his frustrations have mirrored the side’s problems.

Coutinho, Dembélé and, to a certain extent, Sergiño Dest, were recruited in bumper deals but, amid turbulences over finances and a fading winning atmosphere, are now discussed in terms of failure, representing misplaced financial punts in the process. Something is lacking here, beyond the players themselves. Much of this stems from ex-president Josep Maria Bartomeu, his tenure characterized by hasty, ill-considered player transfers and no sporting vision.

There are high hopes for Ferran Torres, whose arrival rested on a rejigged, reduced contract for defender Samuel Umtiti. However, many ponder how Barcelona can afford such stars today, even with flexible La Liga rules. Torres could prove superb, but the nature with which the organization invests and keeps faith with multi-million signings deserves some questioning.

Coutinho will be relishing a blank slate at Villa. True, fans expect a lot, but he can enjoy his soccer at a place that draws fewer headlines than his previous employer. With the club stranded n mid-table obscurity and without any trophy to play for, there is little pressure for this season, at least.

Having his former Liverpool teammate as a guide will help too. Steven Gerrard knows the quality he brings, which eases the tension too. Exchanging Barcelona for Villa may seem a backward step. Given what has gone before, it’s a forward one and provides a chance for better publicity, something he is already maximizing.

Coutinho has always produced his best form in environments that value him highly. That sounds banal, yet it’s especially true for him. While the fee would suggest otherwise, that was not the case in Barcelona. That is not saying the club was unsupportive, but the surrounding hype hindered him. His most successful stints were at Liverpool and Espanyol, the latter where he caught the eye during a loan spell as a young talent.

The early signs look promising in Birmingham, where his transfer has sparked much excitement, despite what happened—or didn’t happen—in Spain. Welcoming such a fine soccer player feels too good to be true for some supporters. The contrast in tone between Barcelona and Villa is striking.

He is, of course, on loan. Nevertheless, it’s hard to see how Villa can fail. Barcelona, on the other hand, already has. Barcelona has already run its race with Coutinho. Should the midfielder return to Barcelona with a portfolio of mazy dribbles and spectacular goals, it would only illustrate the player it struggled to unlock. It would also remind it of a heavy monetary loss, one it will never retrieve.

Barcelona paid top dollar for Coutinho. In the end, with all the drama, there was little reward.