ARSENAL legend Emmanuel Petit reckons Philippe Coutinho must often question his decision to swap Anfield for the glitz and glamour of Barcelona.
The former Liverpool star signed for the La Liga leaders in January 2018 for an eye-watering £142million.
Coutinho has struggled to make an impact at Barcelona since his move from LiverpoolCredit: Getty Images
His dream move came 18 years on from Petit’s famous £7million switch from Highbury to the Nou Camp.
It was a surprise transfer from Arsene Wenger’s team the World Cup winner came to regret.
And the former Gunners star believes the Brazil international must feel the same about his situation.
Petit told the Mirror: “If I was Philippe Coutinho, every morning I would wake up and think to myself, ‘Why, why, did I sign [for Barcelona] in Spain?
“And do you know why I say this? Because, I can remember the time when I’d wake up, when I was at Barcelona, when I left Arsenal, and I was thinking the same way, ‘Why did I leave? Why did I leave? Why did I leave?’
“And to be honest with you I am sure Coutinho has been asking himself the same question for a while now.
“He left for Bayern Munich, he does sometimes play well but he’s not really a first-team player.”
If I was Philippe Coutinho, every morning I would wake up and think to myself, ‘Why, why, did I sign [for Barcelona] in Spain?
Emmanuel Petit
Liverpool have thrived under Jurgen Klopp following Coutinho and are the reigning world club championsCredit: AFP or licensors
Liverpool, under Jurgen Klopp, have become a formidable force since Coutinho’s departure.
The Reds, who are at present on course for their first Premier League title, are the reigning world club champions and won last year’s Champion’s League trophy.
Meanwhile their former midfield maestro Coutinho, who’s currently a target for Chelsea, made a loan move to Bayern Munich in January.
The Bundesliga giants coughed up £7.78million to sign the Brazilian on loan in January.
They have an option to sign him permanently at the end of the season but have no plans to take up this offer according to reports.
There are rumours Coutinho could be set for a Premier League return and it’s a move Petit reckons could work out well for the 27-year-old player.
However the Frenchman believes fans are unlikely to see the Brazilian back in a Liverpool shirt.
Petit added: “I’m pretty sure it would work out for him [returning to England]. He fits perfectly with the Premier League.”
“He’s got the vision, the technique, the speed, he can strike, he has the creativity.
“We all know what he is capable of. I was a big fan of his when he was at Liverpool. I would be very, very happy to see him back in the Premier League.
“He won’t go back to Liverpool. When I was at Barcelona, they wanted me back at Arsenal, and it was tempting – I was close to returning to Arsenal.
“But at the end of the day, I was thinking ‘Emmanuel, you need to be honest with yourself. If you left a year ago it was for a reason.’
“If Coutinho is honest with himself, since he left Liverpool they have won the Champions League and they’re on the way to winning the Premier League. Liverpool haven’t needed him, so why would he go back to Liverpool?”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
