Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho has no regrets about leaving Italian giants Inter Milan for Liverpool after two and a half problematic years at the San Siro.
Coutinho arrived in Milan as an 18-year-old on July 2010, but the Nerazzurri were at the start of a new era after winning five consecutive Scudetti and a Champions League crown.
The 21-year-old told the Daily Telegraph: "Most of the top players from Brazil think about moving to a top European club at some point in the future, and I was no different, even at that young age.
"We all want to be part of the Champions League and competing for the major trophies, so Europe is the target point.
"When the chance came I took it. I was playing for the Brazil youth team and we travelled to Europe a lot, so that's when Inter Milan saw me and became interested.
"José Mourinho was the manager when I was preparing to join them, but he left before I moved to Italy.
"It was a difficult period, strangely, because they had won the national championship five times and just won the Champions League but the club was preparing for change.
"Rafa Benítez had just become the manager and he was prepared to give me opportunities straight away as a younger player, but there were good players there who won a lot at the club - really good players - and things were not settled and it turned out not so good."
The Brazilian spent three seasons at Inter, largely struggling to secure a regular first-team place, before moving to Anfield for £8.5 million in January.
Coutinho added: "Sometimes you can be a good player at a good club and for some reason it just does not work out.
"There is no explanation for it. Then you move to another club and it fits perfectly straight away and you feel comfortable.
"I had some chances at Inter, but after a few years - certainly by the time Liverpool were interested - I was not getting many chances.
"As a footballer all you ever want is the chance to play, and show people how well you can play. I knew at Liverpool I would get that opportunity so I didn't think twice.
"You look at a club and you see a top European team, with top players and top ambitions to win every major trophy, even if it will take time. I didn't even have to think about the decision."
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| Philippe Coutinho scored five goals in 47 games for Inter Milan between 2010 and 2013 Photo: Getty Images |
Coutinho arrived in Milan as an 18-year-old on July 2010, but the Nerazzurri were at the start of a new era after winning five consecutive Scudetti and a Champions League crown.
The 21-year-old told the Daily Telegraph: "Most of the top players from Brazil think about moving to a top European club at some point in the future, and I was no different, even at that young age.
"We all want to be part of the Champions League and competing for the major trophies, so Europe is the target point.
"When the chance came I took it. I was playing for the Brazil youth team and we travelled to Europe a lot, so that's when Inter Milan saw me and became interested.
"José Mourinho was the manager when I was preparing to join them, but he left before I moved to Italy.
"It was a difficult period, strangely, because they had won the national championship five times and just won the Champions League but the club was preparing for change.
"Rafa Benítez had just become the manager and he was prepared to give me opportunities straight away as a younger player, but there were good players there who won a lot at the club - really good players - and things were not settled and it turned out not so good."
The Brazilian spent three seasons at Inter, largely struggling to secure a regular first-team place, before moving to Anfield for £8.5 million in January.
Coutinho added: "Sometimes you can be a good player at a good club and for some reason it just does not work out.
"There is no explanation for it. Then you move to another club and it fits perfectly straight away and you feel comfortable.
"I had some chances at Inter, but after a few years - certainly by the time Liverpool were interested - I was not getting many chances.
"As a footballer all you ever want is the chance to play, and show people how well you can play. I knew at Liverpool I would get that opportunity so I didn't think twice.
"You look at a club and you see a top European team, with top players and top ambitions to win every major trophy, even if it will take time. I didn't even have to think about the decision."
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