Philippe Coutinho's move to Liverpool was a bit of a strange one at the time. His £8.5 million fee seemed to have the effect of lowering expectations on a player who, in reality, had a much higher value.
He was going to be a star when Inter signed him from Vasco da Gama. He arrived as an eighteen year old and Rafa Benitez slowed bedded him in to his team during his short stint in charge. Benitez left, a series of managers came through the San Siro doors and Coutinho found himself on the fringes.
He was shipped out on loan to Espanyol and then Liverpool came knocking with an offer that now seems laughably low. When you consider the Brazilian's form this season, it's no surprise Inter are looking back on that deal as one they may have gotten the short end of the stick on.
Inter's sporting director Piero Ausilio has today said that Coutinho's blossoming into a PFA Player of the Year candidate is something which gives him a deep sense of regret.
He was just 18 when he arrived at the club from Vasco. Then came Benitez and the expectations were very high. Rafa used him on the flanks in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
He was not playing much and we lacked patience so we decided to sell him. I would like young players to grow and succeed here; when I seen them play for other clubs, it makes me sad.
When you consider the depths Inter have dropped to in the three years since Coutinho's departure (treading water in tenth in Serie A at the moment), it's no wonder Ausilio is sad.
