Brendan Rodgers reckons his former protege Philippe Coutinho remains "world-class" and believes he is ideally suited to the Premier League after admitting his surprise at the Brazilian's struggles in Barcelona.
Rodgers bought Coutinho aged 20 from Inter Milan in January 2013 for £8.5million and turned him into the most expensive player in the world. Former Anfield boss Rodgers rates Coutinho so highly he admits he was surprised the attacking ace wasn’t a bigger hit in Spain after a £142m move from Liverpool four years ago.
But Leicester chief Rodgers is pleased to see Coutinho regain his confidence and form back in England after a January loan to Aston Villa to be reunited with Steven Gerrard, his old Liverpool captain. Coutinho, 29, has since shone on the pitch with four goals and three assists in 12 games already to make Villa keen to keep him permanently.
Foxes boss Rodgers said: “I am so happy to see him in the Premier League. When I took him to the Premier League, everyone questioned his physicality. As a young player coming through I saw him at Inter to know he had the personality and physicality to cope.
“He came in and was amazing for me at Liverpool. In my time he went on and earned them an incredible amount of money. He went to a place I thought was assured for him to show his talent. But it also shows you it is all about environment. Philippe was loved at Liverpool and was in a great environment, with the players, the club and the supporters.
“He was able to showcase those skills. Since he went to Barcelona, it never really happened for him there for one reason or another. I know he needs to feel love and be in a place where he is given the confidence. Just to see him back in the Premier League playing again adds to the environment as well.
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“I think the Premier League is made for him. He is a more experienced player now and it is just the game-time for him. He is a special talent, always was and still is. He is a player who is at a world-class level. Some of his actions I have seen with Aston Villa and some of his passing and how he sees the game, is amazing. He is such a great guy as well. He has the ability to make a pass and can shoot with quality from 30 yards in..”
Rodgers is pleased to have experienced striker Jamie Vardy, available again after hamstring and knee injuries which have limited him to just two appearances in 2022. The 35-year-old got a 19-minute cameo in their 0-0 draw with Villa on Saturday. Rodgers added: “He is a proven top-level player and we have missed him a lot. That’s the reality of it and hopefully he’s back for a really important period for us. That will really help us. Even for his age he has the talents and mindset to compete and show his qualities."
