Former Blues star Alan Hudson has expressed reservations about Chelsea’s reported transfer target Philippe Coutinho and he believes Lampard will steer clear of him.
The speculation linking the 27-year-old to a summer move to Stamford Bridge has been heating up lately.
Spanish publication Sport claimed Chelsea are close to finishing the deal, while Sky Sports said Barcelona are offering the playmaker to Chelsea.
Sky Sports also further added that Coutinho has told his agent about his desire to return to the Premier League while he was in London with Bayern for the Champions League tie against Chelsea.
However, former Chelsea midfielder Hudson thinks questions should be raised about Coutinho’s performances since leaving Liverpool in 2018.
He told Caught Offside: “I think there’s been something wrong with him (Coutinho) since leaving Liverpool where he was sensational.
“The questions far outweigh the answers, and for me his form has been in a decline similar to Alexis Sanchez after leaving Arsenal.
“Frank’s job depends on his next big signing because of him bringing through a lot of kids, and l think Frank will give him a wide berth.”
Hudson has had a point there, to be fair.
Coutinho has never reached double digits in terms of goals since he made the big move to Camp Nou where he scored a total of 20 goals in total for Liverpool and Barcelona in domestic leagues and Champions League.
The past two seasons, Coutinho has just scored eight goals in La Liga and Champions League for Barcelona and nine goals in Bundesliga and Champions League for Bayern Munich so far.
Playmaking-wise, apart from the underwhelming two assists in La Liga last season, Coutinho has been relatively stable.
He has provided six assists in 22 Bundesliga appearances this season.
Read also:
- Pat Nevin says losing Willian and Pedro won’t cause much trouble for Lampard
- Report: Barcelona’s desperate move that could save Chelsea £10m on Philippe Coutinho
- Agent explains potentially decisive factor in Philippe Coutinho’s transfer saga
- Report: The money Chelsea would have to pay for Philippe Coutinho
- Some Chelsea fans in disagreement as club reportedly make contact with Coutinho’s agent
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