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Philippe Coutinho has to be considered one of the most unlucky players in Europe. He was in red-hot form in Liverpool when Barcelona came calling, a dream move for him. After signing him as a club record transfer, and a promising start to his Barcelona career, a shift in position is causing all the trouble for him.
Ernesto Valverde's shift to 4-3-3 from his usual 4-4-2 created a dilemma for Coutinho. As a wide midfielder moving forward, Coutinho is a good player, but the wings are not for him. He doesn't have the pace of a winger and he doesn't have the skills to play out wide in the forward zones.
Ousmane Dembele and Malcom are both players who play better on the right wing. Lionel Messi is a winger only on paper and is more of a free bird. There is a need for Barcelona to move Coutinho back into the midfield as he is already done enough damage to his confidence and to the team's performances.
If Coutinho is moved back to midfield, then there should be someone to replace him on the wings, which Barcelona don't have right now. Let us look at three players who could replace Coutinho on the left wing.
Note: Coutinho might or might not be sold. This is a look at players who could relieve him of his duties as a winger.
#3 Cristian Pavon (Boca Juniors)
For those who don't know, Cristian Pavon is a right-footed player and plays for Boca Juniors which is Carlos Tevez's boyhood club. He is an Argentine with a strong right-foot and a capability of handling both wings, as well as the traditional #10 spot.
Much like Coutinho, he has the ability to cut inside from the wings and go for goal from distance. He is a good passer, a good dribbler, finisher, positional player, etc. which is expected from somebody who was linked with Barcelona last year.
Being Argentine means he will have enough familiarity at the club with Coutinho, Messi, Suarez, Arthur, Vidal, already at the club. South American players are known for good relations. We know that Pavon is Boca's gem but he is a gem who has to be polished in European soil, maybe by the Catalans.
#2 Hakim Ziyech (Ajax)
Hakim Ziyech has burst into the spotlight this season with Ajax. It is hard to believe but he has more goals and assists combined than Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero, Karim Benzema, Luis Suarez, and even Cristiano Ronaldo. This is not comparing him to the veterans but it goes to show how good he is.
The Moroccan has been absolutely terrific for Ajax and is scoring goals or all sorts. Match-winning goals, outside the box, inside the box, right-foot, left-foot, any way you like it. Barcelona really needs a goalscoring winger because their second top-scorer in the Champions League is Own Goals.
Ziyech can be deployed on either wing too. He has scored 21 times this season and has assisted 24 times, in 45 appearances for Ajax. With Frenkie de Jong set to join Barcelona, and possibly Matthijs de Ligt also Barcelona bound, Ziyech too might join the Spanish Champions rather than the Gunners.
Barcelona will welcome Ziyech without a shadow of a doubt.
#1 Leroy Sane (Manchester City)
Well, this is hard to believe considering the Bayern Munich rumors which are growing day by day, but this is not an exemption. Leroy Sane has himself stated that Barcelona is his dream club while he was still at Schalke.
The reports that he is looking to leave Manchester City due to lack of ample playing time is a very popular one. However, Barcelona can beat Bayern Munich to this signing if they act well. The player would prefer the Catalans because it is his dream team, and he might give a clear denial to the Bavarians if an offer is presented.
Sane has blistering pace within his diminutive body, he is a great shooter from distance, an aesthetically beautiful ball controller, and what not. His linkup plays with Sterling and Aguero have been awesome to watch at Manchester. Not only will he solve the left-wing crisis but also he has a better shot of winning the Champions League with Messi around.
What is Barcelona waiting for?
