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da esoccer bet： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
According to Spanish publication Marca, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola “rejected” the chance to sign Philippe Coutinho this summer.
What’s the word?
The Brazil international was the subject of intense transfer speculation amid suggestions he could leave Barcelona following a disappointing spell in La Liga.
Reports had suggested the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham were keen on bringing him back to the Premier League, but the 27-year-old instead ended up joining Bavarian giants Bayern Munich on a season-long loan.
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Now, Marca claim City manager Guardiola turned down the opportunity to sign the playmaker when he was offered the chance to do so.
The right choice
For all of Coutinho’s undoubted abilities, the Brazilian would simply have been a waste of money for City. Guardiola’s outfit are blessed with incredible squad depth in the position the Brazilian has publicly admitted he prefers. The number ten department at the Etihad is well-stocked with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden, amongst others, all more than capable playmakers in the central position.
On top of that, Guardiola often uses those playmakers as midfielders in a central trio, and Coutinho likely doesn’t offer the work rate or defensive protection the Spaniard would expect in that role.
Swooping for Coutinho on a ridiculously expensive loan deal – let alone a permanent switch – would have made no logical sense. The 27-year-old would most probably have blocked the path of Foden and stopped the talented teenager from getting valuable first-team minutes. The City academy product has already shown he can be a major player for the side even at such a young age.
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The Etihad side have never been reluctant to splash the cash over the years, but Guardiola’s cautiousness over Coutinho should be applauded.
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