Rivaldo Exclusive: Return to Premier League crucial for Coutinho in World Cup year

Philippe Coutinho looks to be definitely out of Barcelona's plans after Xavi's arrival, and if some months ago I was still encouraging and hoping that he could finally prove his value at the club, I think that his time has now passed.

He wasn't lucky at the club so returning to the Premier League to sign for Aston Villa and his former teammate Steven Gerrard could be crucial for him, especially in a World Cup year.

FC Barcelona and @AVFCOfficial have reached an agreement for the loan of the player Philippe Coutinho until the end of the season

? FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 7, 2022

His quality is undeniable and if he recovers his confidence he could still get a place in the Brazil World Cup squad as Tite likes him and will always keep an eye on him.

So, the move to Villa Park is good news that might reopen the doors in a league in which he played the best football of his career.

It's sad that it didn't work out for Coutinho at Barcelona but it will now suit both parties if a permanent transfer is agreed.

Gabigol has the quality for a top club in England

There are rumours that Newcastle and West Ham have an interest in signing Gabriel Barbosa, Libertadores top scorer in 2021 and Flamengo's star, and I consider that at 25-years-old he is ready to embrace a challenge in Premier League.

Yes, it wouldn't be his first European experience after a failed one first time, but today he is a more experienced and quality player that could even justify a move to a bigger English club like Chelsea, Arsenal or Manchester City - I'm not disrespecting the two clubs above, of course.

But there's another crucial factor. He should sign for a club that wanted him in the first place due to a manager's demand and not a board decision. When you go to a club without the manager's total agreement you can end up playing less time than expected and getting frustrated, and end wishing to leave the club very soon.

But if you are a clear manager target, then you'll have more time to adapt and get along with your new squad because the coach will give you time and confidence and at the same time he will also give you many chances to play regularly.

Raphinha would take a great step by signing for Liverpool or Bayern

The Brazilian star Raphinha have been under the radar in the last few weeks with clubs like Liverpool and Bayern interested in his services and I'm sure that any of these clubs would be a great move for him.

He is proving to be an excellent player with great personality no matter who he is facing, so he could fit well in a very ambitious club that always fights for wins and titles.

It would be a great move for him and the simple fact of having two huge clubs interested in him proves the excellent work he has developed in 2021 at Leeds as well as in the Brazilian national team.

Mbappe should wait for season to end before making a decision

With just six months of his contract with PSG remaining, French star Kylian Mbappe is now free to negotiate with other clubs ahead of next season, but I think he should avoid making decisions now and prefer to focus in helping his club achieve Champions League success

If he manage to win CL, even leaving the club at the end of season, he would always be recognised for his efforts by the fans for winning a very important title for them, and only after that should he announce his new club that seems to be Real Madrid.

The Spanish club seems to be trying to sign him right away offering 50M euros to PSG, but I believe he should stay in France until the end of season and only then decide his future.

Any player hopes to play for a big club like Real Madrid during their career, but Mbappe is a special case since the club is also very interested in signing him, so, no matter when, but it looks written in the stars that he will be a Real Madrid player soon.

He is a player of great personality that is producing a fantastic season so far despite all the distractions around him, so, I believe he will keep that way until the end of the season even with his contract about to expire.

Mbappe and Neymar are solid possibilities to win Ballon D'Or in 2022

After claiming his seventh Ballon D'or award in 2021 Lionel Messi, along with Robert Lewandowski started the season as main favourites to compete for the trophy in 2022, but in World Cup year other players can show up in contention.

I see Mbappe as a very interesting proposition in this competition since he has a good chance in the Champions League with PSG as well as in the World Cup with 6/1 joint-favourites France, but the same can be said about Neymar who plays at the same club and commands the Brazilian national team, the other 6/1 joint-favourite to claim the World Cup title.

Anyway, I think France Football should wait for the World Cup conclusion before promoting the vote for the best player of the year since many of that decisions could depend on World Cup performances later in 2022.

Thiago Silva might play until his forties

Center back and Brazilian national team captain Thiago Silva just extended his contract with Chelsea until the end of next season and at 37-years-old he seems in the condition to extend his career for a few more years.

Nowadays, football allows players to prolong their careers a bit more than expected like we're seeing with Cristiano Ronaldo and Silva, players that are great professionals and dedicated and passionate about football.

This contract renewal with Chelsea didn't happen because of his history in football but for what he can still give to the club on the pitch and Thomas Tuchel didn't seem ready to let him go and that's the biggest recognition a player can receive at this age.

Ferran Torres could fit well in Xavi's style of play

Barcelona have recently announced Ferran Torres as their new signing - a promising Spanish forward who arrives from Manchester City after losing his place in Pep Guardiola's team.

I believe this transfer was discussed between Xavi and Guardiola, so it is clearly a Xavi-approved transfer.

Torres seems to be a player who could fit well in Barcelona's new style of play under Xavi in which the speed and movement at the front will be pivotal.

Furthermore, he comes from a club in which he trained under Guardiola's system that tends to be similar to Xavi's, so, I see it as a good signing of a young and talented Spanish talent.