De Boer: Messi the big problem for Coutinho

Former Barcelona midfielder, Ronald de Boer, believes Leo Messi is the reason for Philippe Coutinho failing to be a success at the Nou Camp.

Coutinho’s career has nosedived since his January 2018 move from Liverpool.

“I think Coutinho was a player where everything [went through] him, every ball went to him at Liverpool,” De Boer told talkSPORT.

“He could probably do less work, basically what Messi does with Barcelona.

“And the thing is you see how everything works together, it’s like a machine.

“If one is not doing it it’s fine maybe, they can handle that, but if it’s two similar types of players, that they also want every ball and have that special position in the team, then you see how vulnerable a team can be.

“I think we saw that with Barcelona. There’s only one that can do that now and that is Messi.

“The team is adapting and if you have to adapt for two players like this, it’s difficult.

“I think Coutinho is an unbelievable player but sometimes he doesn’t fit the puzzle and maybe with another club it will perfectly go well.

“It doesn’t mean he is a bad player. It doesn’t mean that you are not a great player when you can’t play for Barcelona – no.

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“It sometimes doesn’t fit your style of play and sometimes you have bad luck, not bad luck, that Messi’s around and he has that role, and then you have to do a different role that doesn’t suit you a little bit.

“So it’s a shame for Coutinho but I think now he will do okay.”