Friday 6 April 2018 13:22, UK
Guillem Balague says Philippe Coutinho is going through a tough process of adaptation at Barcelona, but nobody doubts he will succeed.
Coutinho moved to Barcelona in January from Liverpool for £146m, scoring three goals and registering two assists in 13 appearances so far for the La Liga side, who are unbeaten in the top flight.
After his debut was delayed due to a hamstring issue, Coutinho has only sporadically shown glimpses of the form that warranted his price tag, but Sky Sports' Spanish football expert Balague believes it is a case of adjusting and positional interpretation.
Balague said: "I did say when he arrived that he is not a midfielder, he is a forward. Everyone spoke of him as a replacement for Iniesta; he is not that! Maybe he will become that, but it will take a while. Barcelona are aware he is not a midfielder, but he adds quality.
"Meanwhile, he has to find his best place, his best position on the pitch. He has sometimes started on the right, other times on the left, sometimes through the centre. The problem is he has come from quite a direct style at Liverpool.
"At Barca, it is about keeping position, waiting for the ball, and when you have it, deliver it quickly. There are also strict instructions on what to do without the ball. I think Coutinho still lacks answers to things that happen on the pitch. There is still a lot to learn.
"A lot of these things don't come naturally to him, for example passing and moving, making the right run, a lot of the traits everyone in that team - Rakitic, Iniesta, Busquets, Messi, Suarez - have a PhD in for Barcelona. Coutinho has to learn it."
Balague says the media in Catalonia are not yet criticising the Brazil international, whose former side Liverpool have kept up good form without their star man.
South American team-mates Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi have "taken Coutinho under their wing," and the feeling at the Nou Camp is positive, but the onus will be on the 25-year-old to show his worth next season, says Balague.
"He is being looked after, and I think we will see a better Coutinho next season. Both Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi have taken him under their wings. He lives next to both of them, they have good social lives together, and that will help.
"But all in all, they have to replace Iniesta, but not with Coutinho. He should be considered a forward for now, while learning to be a midfielder.
"Meanwhile, every game is being analysed in every detail, the Catalan media keeps hoping that the little bursts of quality he shows will continue, but they are being patient with him. He is being criticised.
"If he doesn't improve next season, they may give him a bit more stick, but right now it is a process of adaptation which even somebody of his quality has to go through. Nobody doubts he will succeed in Barcelona."
