Chelsea Coutinho approach slammed; told Blues star won’t ‘stay around’ Chelsea have been criticised over their ongoing pursuit of Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho, and risk losing a star forward if the Brazilian arrives according to one pundit. The ex-Liverpool favourite, 27, is currently on loan at Bayern Munich, though the club have shown no indication they are willing to cough up the money to turn the temporary switch permanent. Reports of Barcelona stepping up their interest in Inter hitman Lautaro Martinez, as well as a shock return for Neymar suggest that Coutinho’s time back at the Camp Nou will be shortlived. Numerous Premier League clubs have been touted as possible landing spots after the player indicated his desire to return to England, with Chelsea forging ahead of the pack in the race for his signature. Talks between the two clubs have reportedly already begun, though the potential move has drawn stinging criticism from the ever outspoken Gary Neville. Coutinho’s arrival would provide the Blues with a proven creative force, though with manager Frank Lampard currently nurturing an exciting corp of young attacking players, existing Blues stars could be disadvantaged by the move. One of those players is American forward Christian Pulisic. The 21-year-old arrived in a £58m deal from Borussia Dortmund last summer, and although glimpses of his mercurial talents have been seen, he has failed to hold down a regular starting berth. Now, speaking on his role as a pundit on ESPN FC (via the Daily Express), Don Hutchison has lambasted the club over the links and claimed Pulisic should be the one the club focuses their attentions on. “I would love to sit down with Jody Morris, who is a friend of mine, and you guys know I’m friends with Frank Lampard as well, and say why aren’t you offering these positions to Christian Pulisic?” said Hutchison. “Instead of scouring Europe for a number ten or someone who can play on either flank, you’ve got one in-house. They’ve got one already on the books at Chelsea. “Invest a little bit more time in Christian Pulisic. “I hear from the grapevine that he’s a little bit quiet and a little bit shy, maybe it’s time for Jody and Frank to coax that out of him and make him a team player and more demanding on the pitch. “I’d like to know why Chelsea are going for Coutinho. “I can’t imagine Christian Pulisic staying around if they do.” Meanwhile, a transfer insider has revealed Frank Lampard has personally held talks with an exciting Belgian attacker who is expected to be on the move this summer. The post Chelsea Coutinho approach slammed; told Blues star won’t ‘stay around’ appeared first on teamtalk.com.

Chelsea have been criticised over their ongoing pursuit of Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho, and risk losing a star forward if the Brazilian arrives according to one pundit.

The ex-Liverpool favourite, 27, is currently on loan at Bayern Munich, though the club have shown no indication they are willing to cough up the money to turn the temporary switch permanent.

Reports of Barcelona stepping up their interest in Inter hitman Lautaro Martinez, as well as a shock return for Neymar suggest that Coutinho’s time back at the Camp Nou will be shortlived.

Numerous Premier League clubs have been touted as possible landing spots after the player indicated his desire to return to England, with Chelsea forging ahead of the pack in the race for his signature.

Talks between the two clubs have reportedly already begun, though the potential move has drawn stinging criticism from the ever outspoken Gary Neville.

Coutinho’s arrival would provide the Blues with a proven creative force, though with manager Frank Lampard currently nurturing an exciting corp of young attacking players, existing Blues stars could be disadvantaged by the move.

One of those players is American forward Christian Pulisic.

The 21-year-old arrived in a £58m deal from Borussia Dortmund last summer, and although glimpses of his mercurial talents have been seen, he has failed to hold down a regular starting berth.

Now, speaking on his role as a pundit on ESPN FC (via the Daily Express), Don Hutchison has lambasted the club over the links and claimed Pulisic should be the one the club focuses their attentions on.

“I would love to sit down with Jody Morris, who is a friend of mine, and you guys know I’m friends with Frank Lampard as well, and say why aren’t you offering these positions to Christian Pulisic?” said Hutchison.

“Instead of scouring Europe for a number ten or someone who can play on either flank, you’ve got one in-house. They’ve got one already on the books at Chelsea.

“Invest a little bit more time in Christian Pulisic.

 

“I hear from the grapevine that he’s a little bit quiet and a little bit shy, maybe it’s time for Jody and Frank to coax that out of him and make him a team player and more demanding on the pitch.

“I’d like to know why Chelsea are going for Coutinho.

“I can’t imagine Christian Pulisic staying around if they do.”

Meanwhile, a transfer insider has revealed Frank Lampard has personally held talks with an exciting Belgian attacker who is expected to be on the move this summer.

 

The post Chelsea Coutinho approach slammed; told Blues star won’t ‘stay around’ appeared first on teamtalk.com.

Steve Pearson