Steve Nicol has claimed that he would prefer reported Arsenal target Philippe Coutinho over the likes of Mesut Ozil, James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale, as he told ESPN.
The Anfield legend claimed that ‘you can still get something’ from Coutinho, who just like the above players, has stagnated during these past few years and is looking to find his feet once more.
There could be the possibility that all four players are gracing England’s top-flight next season, with Coutinho seemingly attracting the interest of Arsenal [Sport], who already have the frozen-out Ozil already on their books.
Nicol was asked to pick from the attacking quartet of Bale, Ozil, Rodriguez and Coutinho, as he was pretty clear in his response.
“It seems like Bale’s done and dusted, he’s kind of semi-retired,” Nicol told ESPN. “Ozil, I have no idea where he is or what’s going to happen to him. He’s played what, half a dozen game in the last 12 months or so?
“James Rodriguez, you are never sure what you are going to get. So, I would go with Coutinho. I still think you can get something from him in the right place. I will go with Coutinho.”
Arsenal’s record transfer deals
- Nicolas Pepe
£72 million
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
£56 million
- Alexandre Lacazette
£52 million
- Thomas Partey
45 million
- Mesut Ozil
£42 million
All the above players have enough talent in their boots to light up the Premier League, but at this moment in time, it’s pitch dark where they are and there isn’t any sign that the gloom will be lifted.
The player that has the most hope is perhaps Coutinho because he recently won the Bundesliga and the Champions League with Bayern Munich – even though he wasn’t a key member of the squad, he did net a brace against Barcelona during that 8-2 win. And he’s since returned to that club.
Rodriguez’s time in Madrid in seemingly is over, as he’s trying to find the magic which lit up those in Brazil in 2014, and it seems Everton boss, Carlo Ancelotti, could be that guy [Sky Sports].
On the other hand, Ozil and Bale are looking in the same mirror, but from one part of the world in London to another in Madrid. Both have been frozen-out by their respective bosses despite once lighting up the Bernabeu.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if their situations are still at a standstill come this time next year.
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