Philippe Coutinho breaks silence on future after receiving Barcelona lifeline

Philippe Coutinho has broken his silence following his return to Barcelona by insisting he is focused on working hard to be a success at the club this season.

The Brazilian midfielder looked to have burnt his bridges at the Nou Camp after scoring twice against Barca in Bayern Munich’s 8-2 romp in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Coutinho was one of the players believed to be up for sale in a proposed mass exodus of Barcelona stars but he has been since handed a reprieve.

New boss Ronald Koeman informed Coutinho he wanted to keep him at the club and utilise him in first-team action, and the 28-year-old is keen to grasp his second chance.

“I’m looking forward to a good time,” Coutinho said after Barca’s 1-0 win over Elche in the Joan Gamper friendly trophy on Saturday.

“I am very motivated. I want to work hard this year so that everything goes well on the pitch.”

Barcelona’s summer was thrown into turmoil immediately after their disastrous exit from Europe as captain Lionel Messi signalled his intentions to leave while Luis Suarez was put up for sale.

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Messi’s future has since been resolved though and Suarez’s proposed move to Juventus now looks in doubt.

The arrival of Miralem Pjanic has helped to bolster Barca’s ranks and Coutinho’s return will also be a welcome boost to Koeman as he bids to overturn the club’s recent fortunes.

How do you think Coutinho will get on this season? Have your say below.

Barcelona kick off their La Liga campaign next Sunday at home to Villarreal and have won all three of their pre-season fixtures.

But Coutinho admits there is still plenty of work to be done.

“We haven’t had much time to train in pre-season, but we are improving,” he added. “We are getting used to the way the coaching staff works. We still have a week to get off to a good start.”

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