Philippe Coutinho is perfect for Barcelona, says Cesc Fabregas
Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas has recommended Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona and says the Brazilian is perfect for the Camp Nou.
Coutinho, 25, handed in a transfer request last summer in a bid to force through a move to Spain but Liverpool rejected Barcelona’s advances.
The La Liga giants have not given up hope of signing Coutinho and Jurgen Klopp admitted earlier this week that he cannot guarantee the Brazilian will not leave.
Barcelona are said to have been in talks with Liverpool and the Reds value Coutinho at around £127m.
Coutinho is still believed to be keen on moving to Barcelona and Chelsea star Fabregas has backed him to make the move.
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‘I think he’s a great player,’ Fabregas told TV3.
‘I see the Barcelona style, the truth is that he is at that level.
‘Where I see it is more comfortable inside, but the good thing about this player is that he can play in various positions. Being flexible is also important.’
Fabregas left Arsenal for his boyhood club in 2011 but returned to the Premier League with Chelsea three seasons later.
The Spaniard’s won two Premier League titles since returning to England and says he’s happy under Antonio Conte despite struggling at times last term.
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‘I would be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about it. Maybe worried is not the right word — but you can imagine,’ said Fabregas.
‘I wasn’t playing, not really part of Conte’s initial plans, and at that point you can do two things.
‘Just give up and accept you’re not part of the team or the club in the future.Or do what I did — put your head down, be humble, work hard, train hard every day. To show him that he’s wrong and that he can trust you to play in this team.
‘Every time I had an opportunity I gave my all, I delivered and from then on we started to create a relationship. Now I can say our relationship is fantastic.’
MORE: Mauricio Pochettino explains on-field row with Manchester United transfer target Danny Rose
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