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Philippe Coutinho[/FONT] [FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]
Date of birth: [/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]
June 12, 1992
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Club: [/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]
Inter[/FONT]
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Height:[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]
1.72m[/FONT] [FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]
Weight: [/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]
72kg
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Nationality:[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]
Brazilian
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Position:[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]
Midfielder[/FONT]
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Physical attributes...
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Philippe Coutinho Correia, to give him his full name, is an exciting, attacking midfielder who can pass and shoot equally as well with both feet. At five feet seven inches small he may not be the biggest player but what he lacks in stature he certainly makes up for in heart. Yet the former Vasco da Gama teenager’s height has several advantages as he is blessed with a low centre of gravity, which apart from affording him a supreme balance also allows him to turn on a ten-lira coin.
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Technical attributes...
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A typical Brazilian playmaker, in that he can deliver deadly balls, loves to pass his man and with the ball at his feet likes to thrill fans with various tricks. He has vision, movement, close control and possesses a tremendous shot, which he ably demonstrated when he scored his first Nerazzurri goal on Inter’s tour of the US this summer. Coming on as a sub in the game against Panathinaikos, he struck home a powerful volley that absolutely flew into the net. In many ways he recalls a young Wesley Sneijder, his immediate rival in the Nerazzurri first team, while for others he is the new Lionel Messi. Yet despite all the hype there is no doubting the kid’s ability to electrify fans.
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Tactical attributes...
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Of course he is still only 18 and has a lot to learn but he has already been called up into the national squad. Playing alongside some of Brazil’s and Inter’s experienced footballers can only benefit him in the long run. He can play anywhere in the midfield but says he feels his best position is just behind two strikers, where he played for Vasco.
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Character...
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Like many young South Americans he is utterly fearless and totally uncompromising, considering his slight physique. He sees himself extremely lucky to be playing alongside national heroes like Julio Cesar, Douglas Maicon and Lucio – legends he could only have dreamed about playing with when watching them on TV not too long ago. He admits he is a quiet person who doesn’t like to go out much, preferring to stay at home with his family, his friends and girlfriend.
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Market valuation...
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Philippe actually cost Inter £3m in 2008, but because of FIFA rules concerning players under 16 he stayed on loan with Vasco da Gama until this summer. Since his move he has been called up into the full Brazilian squad. With the departure of Mario Balotelli for £23m to Manchester City, Inter President Moratti has been quoted as saying that the sale of Balotelli isn’t a problem for Inter because they have other young talents like Coutinho. So what does that make the youngster worth? Who knows at this time?[/FONT]