However, unlike most in that Liverpool squad, Coutinho must be exempt from blame. He has been Liverpool's best player, and with the Copa America coming this summer, Dunga could have one of the unlikely stars that could propel the Samba kids to another moment of South American glory by getting their hands on that trophy.
Coutinho may not have had a consistent season from start to finish, but I can see a few seconds from a player to know if he's up to the cut. And when Coutinho gets in his game, he IS a Brazlian. Remember, he is surrounded with the likes of Can and Lambert who are roughly a million lightyears from Neymar and Marcelo. So him in the Brazilian team will make him look even better as he will have players around him that will be on his wavelength. More importantly, Coutinho NEEDS an international showing for critics like me to even have him in any conversation for best players in a given position. Because his name has popped up a few times and he has scored some superb G's for Liverpool. However, international football is the real acid cookie. If you can prove yourself on the big stage as Neymar was able to do in his FIRST tournament, then you are automatically in the world class CONVERSATION but not long list.
The legend that is Dinho has come out to vouch for Coutinho, as he does see him being his only natural successor to play that important role in the hole. With Neymar having the free attacking role and Firmino being more wide, it will really be Coutinho to sit in that pocket and connect the attacking players to pick apart defences. And if he can bring some of the graceful runs he had with Liverpool and produce some individual magic, then this new defensive Dunga team could be very exciting to watch.
One issue though. Does Coutinho have the tactical discipline that Dunga demands? Because this ain't the free-for-all attacking playground that Rodgers has built at Liverpool with ZERO defensive responsibilities for attacking players...hence the Stoke Six. But we will have to see how well Coutinho works in Dunga's regimental ethos.
HH
Sent from the Hut
