Comparing Marcus Thuram and Philippe Coutinho almost feels like comparing Daniel Day Lewis and Adam Sandler. Yes, they earn their living in the same industry. Yes, they occupy the same screen. But, in terms of their style and their approach, both men could hardly be more different.
Thuram and Coutinho are both, on paper at least, right-footed, left-sided attackers. Aston Villa’s Brazil international, like Borussia Monchengladbach’s silky number ten, are at their most effective when drifting in from the flank, using their balletic footwork to dance through tightly-packed defences.
But that is probably the extent of the similarities. And with Milan Live reporting that Aston Villa are joining the reigning Serie A champions in the race to secure Thuram’s signature, Coutinho’s place in the squad could be about to come under sustained threat by a very different player, albeit one who does his best work in similar areas of the pitch.
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa target Borussia Monchengladbach star Marcus Thuram
“Thierry Henry had the timing of the smartest footballers. He was very strong physically. And technically he could do everything,” legendary former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told Der Spiegel in 2020.
“In fact, there’s a player in the Bundesliga who reminds me of him; Marcus Thuram from Borussia Monchengladbach.”
Over the last two years, the son of ex-France international Lillian Thuram (and brother of Nice wonderkid Kephren) has gone from strength to strength. Threatening to do what the likes of David Bellion and co could not, and live up to that ‘new Henry’ tag.
In 15 games for ‘Gladbach this season, the Italy-born forward has 12 goals and three assists. What the statistics do not show you, however, is how devastating and exhilarating Thuram can be at full flow; a fearsome blend of speed, skill, drive and determination. Most of the criticism that has come Coutinho’s way during his first full season at Aston Villa focuses on the Brazilian’s tendency to drift through games, stuck on the periphery. You certainly couldn’t level the same accusations at Thuram; a man who’s dextrous dribbling ability, unpredictable nature and ruthless finishing ability makes him one of the most feared forwards on the continent when fully fit.
He’s certainly put an injury-hit 2021/22 behind him, returning with a vengeance.
‘World class striker’
“Thuram is a world class striker,” Wolfsburg’s sporting director Marcel Schafer said after Thuram channelled his inner-Henry during a 2-2 draw with at the Volkswagen Arena recently, cutting inside before slamming a shot into the back of the net. A goal reminiscent of the Arsenal icon in his naughties pomp.
“You have to say it like that. He has world class stature.
“Marcus is in excellent shape,” Gladbach coach Daniel Farke adds of his £38 million-rated talisman. “(Thuram is) an exceptional player of the highest international class.”
If Coutinho is something of an unfortunate posterboy for the Steven Gerrard era at Villa Park, then Thuram would be a fitting addition to a club looking for a fresh start and a new identity under Unai Emery. The former Arsenal and PSG boss, after all, has an impressive track record when it comes to getting the best out of talented wide-forwards, transforming Arnaut Danjuma into one of La Liga’s best during their time together at Villarreal.
Coutinho and Gerrard never really looked like a good fit for Aston Villa. Following up Emery with Thuram, however, would offer a timely reminder of Villa’s sky-high ambitions.
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