Coutinho is shinning bright

Philippe Coutinho looks like a renewed player in Barcelona.

The team is off to a hot start with a commanding 4-0 win against Villareal over the weekend, and an impressive 3-0 dispatching of Celta Vigo.

A few players in particular are having standout performances.  Ansu Fati’s three goals have been clinical, and all have happened early on in matches, setting the tone for the rest of the game.

But the glue to the team has been Coutinho.  The game is running through him as the central attacking midfielder, and he’s done a great job pushing the game forward as a playmaker.

Barca technically has Ansu and Antoinne Griezmann playing on the wings, but both of those guys like to cheat inside.  This means less space for Countinho to operate in, but if anything it’s working to the team’s advantage.

Coutinho is a technician.  If anyone can succeed in tight spaces it’s him.  With defenders closing in, he’s done a great job of threading the ball to teammates.  Ansu in particular, but Messi as well has benefited greatly.

Because of the fluidity of the tactics, you’re seeing players move in and out of positions.  Coutinho does spend parts of the game on the left wing, which has given him the chance to run at defenders while cutting in on his right.

Instead of his more predictable, and easy to shut down, tendancy in the past of going for goal, he’s now switching the field, or sending balls through defenders on the way to the goal.

Coutinho looks confident, and it also looks like his teammates have confidence in him.

During his first stint with Barcelona he was far too deferential.  Someone to play through, but never someone to make things happen on his own.

In the first two games of the season Coutinho seems to be everywhere, involved in everything.

Credit needs to be paid to Ronald Koeman.  From the beginning he told the club he wanted Coutinho to stay, and that he planned on using him prominently.

I was skeptical to see him playing as a central midfielder believing his natural position was on the left wing.  Although it’s early on in the season it looks like Koeman got the formation right, and no one’s talent is being unleashed more than Coutinho’s right now.

It would be a fantastic development for the team if his form continues.  The overall quality on the pitch for the Blaugrane has improved greatly as a result, and with the loss of Luis Suarez they will need another player who can take over games.

Only thing we’re waiting for now is one of Coutinho’s trademark curling goals from outside the box.

The way things are looking it’s only a matter of time.