Rivaldo: Coutinho should return to Premier League

Barcelona legend Rivaldo believes Philippe Coutinho should return to the Premier League in order to find his old form. The Brazil international parted ways with Liverpool to join the Blaugrana in January 2018, but he failed to perform consistently as he was played out of position on the left side of the attack.

Last summer, he made the move to Bayern Munich on loan and his spell has been a mixed one despite contributing nine goals and eight assists for the club. Coutinho make a quick start to the proceedings from the number 10 position, but his performances have faded during the backend of the campaign where Thomas Muller has got the regular nod over him.

An ankle surgery in April have further hampered his prospects of regular playing time and he appears set to return to the Camp Nou this summer with Bayern declining the option to buy him permanently. Speaking on his Betfair column, Rivaldo believes a return to the Premier League would suit Coutinho, given that would offer him the chance to rediscover his best form.

He told: “Philippe Coutinho will soon return from his loan at Bayern to Barcelona but I doubt he can revive his career there. His best option could be returning to English football where he spent the best seasons of his career and in which his qualities seem to be best suited, as he proved at Liverpool when was one of the best players in the Premier League. At Arsenal, Tottenham or Leicester, Coutinho could be a regular starter next season. It would be a good opportunity for the Brazilian to rediscover his best form and show that he continues to be an excellent player who belongs to the elite.”

Coutinho has been linked with Arsenal over the past few weeks and reports have emerged that the Gunners could sign him on a season-long loan. The Brazil international has yet to make a decision on his future and is expected to wait until the conclusion of Bayern’s Champions League campaign next month.