Rivaldo says Philippe Coutinho can get back to his best at Chelsea

Philippe Coutinho could get back to his best if he returns to the Premier League, according to Barcelona legend Rivaldo.

Speaking to Betfair, Rivaldo said his fellow Brazilian would be able to rediscover his best form at Chelsea, who have been linked with a move for the forward.  

‘After a season and a half at Barcelona and one more at Bayern Munich without managing to have the same success he had at Liverpool, I believe that this chance Philippe Coutinho now has of continuing his career at Chelsea could be a good option,’ he said.

Philippe Coutinho could get back to his best if he returns to the Premier League, says Rivaldo

Philippe Coutinho could get back to his best if he returns to the Premier League, says Rivaldo

Philippe Coutinho could get back to his best if he returns to the Premier League, says Rivaldo

The Barcelona and Brazil legend says he would do better in a league he knows very well

The Barcelona and Brazil legend says he would do better in a league he knows very well

The Barcelona and Brazil legend says he would do better in a league he knows very well

Chelsea are linked with a move for the forward, who is currently on loan at Bayern Munich

Chelsea are linked with a move for the forward, who is currently on loan at Bayern Munich

Chelsea are linked with a move for the forward, who is currently on loan at Bayern Munich

Coutinho scored 54 goals and provided 45 assists during his time at Liverpool, and secured a £145million move to Barcelona in 2018.

However, he didn’t live up to expectations playing alongside the likes of Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi, so was sent out on loan to Bayern Munich.

They have the option to buy him at the end of the season, however, his displays haven’t been enough to convince the German giants to make the move permanent and they are now unlikely to trigger an optional clause to sign him for £70m.

A return to the Premier League is an option, with Chelsea currently the front runners for his signature. 

Coutinho enjoyed his best years in the Premier League before 2018 as a Liverpool player

Coutinho enjoyed his best years in the Premier League before 2018 as a Liverpool player

Coutinho enjoyed his best years in the Premier League before 2018 as a Liverpool player

‘He will move to a big club and to a country and competition he knows well where he had his best years so far, so if that transfer really happens, I’m sure he will have a good chance of seeing things improve for him in the future, after all, he has already shined in the Premier League before,’ said Rivaldo.

‘Looking at Coutinho’s last few years we can say that he didn’t achieve what was expected of him, but he still has time to recover his best football and with his confidence back he could easily become the same player he was at Liverpool.

‘I consider this to be just a not-so-good spell for him, but we can’t say that he is playing poorly because it would be a lie, things are simply not running as well as many would expect when he left Liverpool to sign for Barcelona. 

Barcelona paid £145million for Coutinho in 2018, and may be making a huge loss if they sell

Barcelona paid £145million for Coutinho in 2018, and may be making a huge loss if they sell

Barcelona paid £145million for Coutinho in 2018, and may be making a huge loss if they sell

‘Furthermore, next year we’ll have Copa America and one year later the World Cup, so it would be important for Coutinho to be playing at a good European club in order not to lose his place in the national team when those big tournaments come around.’

Barcelona are intent on recouping as much of the £145m they spent on the Brazilian as possible but realise they will have to take a large hit as a result of his failed move. 

Coutinho could be available for £79m – £66m less than the sum paid to Liverpool – but, given Barca’s urgency to raise funds to buy Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez, Chelsea could get that total even lower. 

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