Why Barcelona decision to ditch Philippe Coutinho for Antoine Griezmann have failed to work

Barcelona's decision to trigger Antoine Griezmann's €120m release clause despite having Philippe Coutinho is beginning to look silly. The Brazilian was fantastic to watch in his first season at Camp Nou as he helped Barca win the La Liga and Copa Del Rey title.

But, his second season wasn't as promising as the first as Barcelona managed to win just the La Liga title.

The Bluagrana giants were beaten badly by Sevilla in the Copa Del Rey final and Liverpool in the Semi final of the Champions League at Anfield. A change needed to be made and Coutinho had to be sold to pave way for a World Cup winner in Antoine Griezmann.

Glorified, respected and proven, Griezmann was everything Barcelona thought they needed to arrest the club's decline and over dependence on Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

Unfortunately, the quick fix has failed to work as Griezmann has shown he lacks the flair, attacking prowess and mentality to drive Barcelona forward. He is too defensive minded for a striker..

Griezmann is struggling to make an impact in Barcelona and have managed just four goals and three assists in Barca colours. Although, he has contributed defensively by winning back 34 balls, two more than Coutinho did in the same period last season.

He has attempted 17 shots, 4 less than Coutinho managed in the same number of games..

No disrespect to Griezmann, he is not the 'Neymar' Barcelona are crying out for.. He is a good player but not good enough to replicate what Neymar did in the past for Barcelona. He is too defensive minded and needs to work that side of his game..

While he works on his game, Barcelona chiefs will be forced to ask this question over and over again.. Why did we get rid of Coutinho?

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Manchester United fans react angrily to Ashley Young's one year contract extension

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