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Mina wrote this piece just before Coutinho signed for Liverpool in January.

“For me, he’s a phenomenon. He’s like a Ferrari. When he’s dribbling with the ball at his feet, you just can’t catch up to him."

Juan Jesus, the Brazilian and Inter centre-back could barely hide his admiration, while the Italian club’s President Massimo Moratti hailed him as the “future of Inter”.

Ask Philippe Coutinho what he thinks of himself, and he shrugs. He’s embarrassed by all the comparisons made between him and Kaka and his humble nature simply won’t allow him to boast.

Besides, Ricardo Quaresma was his idol. Yet there’s a little twinkle in his eye. He knows. He definitely knows what he’s doing and why the world is so fascinated. After all, as a 17-year-old Vasco da Gama player, wannabe journalists used to wait outside in hopes of talking to him and him alone. His more famous teammates were simply ignored.

A playmaker with incredible speed, his quick feet and technical skill would impress even the harshest critic. Coutinho is the kid with the bright future.

Coveted by so many teams, Inter invested him when the Brazilian was only 16 years old, despite the fact he was not allowed to play for them for another two years.

(Image: Marco Luzzani)

His talent so beguiling, he combined Brazilian flair with European sophistication and unlike the other boys his age, he yearned for a settled life. Having met and fallen in love very young, he credits his girlfriend, (now his wife, they married on 27th December 2012) for his peace of mind.

However, it’s his family who made him the man he is today. A player who takes his profession seriously, his father alongside his two older, lawyer brothers would sit with him and assess his performances after every match and training session since he was a child.

“My family is the foundation of everything in my life,” admits the playmaker. They advised him, stood by him and devoted their lives to realise the player’s sporting dreams. Asked why he never seems to go out partying with his teammates, drinking and enjoying female company, he smiles. “I'm a very quiet person. And I have to be, right? My family is always on my ass!”

Starting out his career as a forward, he was then transformed into an attacking midfielder at 12 years of age. Capable of always delivering that special through ball that penetrates opposing defences, at Inter he has developed his tactical awareness.

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His versatility has seen him deployed in a number of different positions. He can play as a forward, on the left, on the right or behind the strikers. He can offer something in each position.

Never providing the opponent with a reference point, Coutinho is difficult to mark and loves nothing more that to run at defenders. His off the ball movements have improved too with the player regularly seen pressing his opponent to win back possession or positioning himself intelligently to interrupt the other team’s passing rhythm.

Is he equipped to play in the Premier League?

Every talented player blessed with pace, technical skill and a grounded personality should be able to make it anywhere.

At Inter, his fitness trainers oversaw a schedule that encouraged muscle growth to make him stronger and better able to compete in Serie A. They managed to do so without compromising his pace and trickery. However, his more muscular physique perhaps explains why the player has suffered with injuries that have hindered his development.

As the body gets accustomed to the changes within, the legs tend to suffer with the extra weight and the shift in balances. Nonetheless, he’s become less easy to beat whilst maintaining all the individual skill that makes him a wonder to watch.

Under Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool focus on a passing game whilst the player’s ability to float between the lines and exploit spaces would be an advantage.

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However, his finishing needs to improve, as does his ability to shield the ball. Unfortunately, he is still far too prone to being easily dispossessed and can prove frustrating at times especially when great dribbling does not result in any end product.

Consistency is still a problem and as such the player would benefit more from a coach with more time to dedicate to his progress.

As for Southampton, the player is very familiar with Mauricio Pochettino who trained him when they were both at Espanyol.

Developing into a key player during his short stint in Spain, many critics went so far as to say the side became too reliant on the playmaker. Coutinho benefited from having a tough coach who demanded he push himself to the limit. Pochettino, after all, is renowned for his work with youth and thus forged a good relationship with the player who appreciated how much time was dedicated to his improvement.

On his return to Italy, the media were quick to point out Coutinho’s renewed confidence and greater understanding of how best to exploit his skills. As such, the newly appointed Southampton manager might just be the ideal man to work with the youngster.

However, Inter believe in the player and his potential. Having tracked him since he was a child, it seems unlikely that they would allow the player to leave so soon. After all - he is the man they predicted would lead them into their future.

We will see.