Philippe Coutinho’s form has dropped off a cliff this season and, with Steven Gerrard sacked as Aston Villa manager, the midfielder is likely to miss out on selection for the World Cup
Philippe Coutinho is set to be axed from Brazil’s squad for the World Cup next month due to his poor form for Aston Villa.
Coutinho is without a goal or assist from 12 appearances in all competitions this season. The 30-year-old attacking midfielder was brought to Villa by his former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard, who has now been replaced by Unai Emery as manager following a sluggish start to the campaign.
The playmaker joined in January on an initial six-month loan spell and chipped in with five goals and three assists in 19 Premier League games. Villa then paid £17.2million to sign him permanently on a four-year contract, but the decision has not paid off yet, with Coutinho’s performances worrying.
And now it seems as though his form could prevent him from going to the World Cup in Qatar next month. Sport says that Brazil boss Tite is likely to select in-form Flamengo star Everton Ribeiro ahead of Coutinho when he names his squad on November 7.