Chelsea: Pedro ‘out the door’ in transfer window says expert
Chelsea should not pursue a deal to sign Barcelona star Philippe Coutinho, according to former Blues defender Frank Leboeuf. Chelsea are one of a number of Premier League clubs linked with signing former Liverpool star Coutinho. The Brazilian would reportedly cost the Blues around £80million, over £60m less than what Barca paid for him in January 2018.
But Leboeuf believes that Barcelona were "guilty" of paying way over the odds for Coutinho to prise him away from Liverpool and they have to deal with the consequences of that.
The former France World Cup winner says Coutinho is not at the level to attract that sort of fee and has warned Chelsea even £80m would be too much for him now.
"Well, to be really honest, and frank, no [Chelsea should not sign him]," Leboeuf told ESPN FC.
"I think Coutinho is a good player and I'm not even trying to be harsh on him, I think I want to find Barcelona guilty for the situation because they put a price on Coutinho who I think doesn't belong to that league.
Chelsea transfer news: Frank Leboeuf says Chelsea should not sign Philippe Coutinho (Image: ESPN/GETTY)
"Now it's hard to reverse the system, it's hard to think that you can even the price and accept to lose like £65m for a transfer.
"But if you check on the quality of Coutinho, of course he is a talented player, of course he is a good player, but does he belong to the top, top players? Allow me to have some doubts about that.
"When I see Neymar, when I see [Cristiano] Ronaldo, when I see [Lionel] Messi, when I see [Kylian] Mbappe, I see top, top players.
"Coutinho has a price of a top, top player and I don't want to make a statement but I'm not sure he has the quality of a top, top player.
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"And now, how do you reverse the system? How do you put Coutinho in a team and how do you rate him now?
"You talk about Chelsea, ready to [pay] £80m, £80m. I think it's too much for a player where you're not sure he's going to find the level he was, he used to be, at Liverpool and is not anymore.
"That's why I think Coutinho shouldn't go to Chelsea because there is no room for him and I think it is too much to spend for a player where we don't know the standard."
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