THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF TUFTS UNIVERSITY EST. 1980 THE TUFTS DAILY VOLUME LXXX, ISSUE 45
MEDFORD/SOMERVILLE, MASS. Friday, November 20, 2020 tuftsdaily.com Talloires Network announces international Tufts study Next Generation Leaders Initiative highlights improvement in air quality during stay-at- home order by Ella Kamm Contributing Writer
A research team from Tufts conducted a study during the initial stay-at-home order this spring and found that the decrease in road traffic led to drastic improvements in air quality. The study was run by professors Neelakshi Hudda and John Durant in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, along with Matt Simon (E’17) and Allison Patton (E’14). According to the study, traffic reduced significantly during the lockdown, with 71% fewer cars on the road and 46% fewer trucks. The results of the study were pub- lished in the journal Science of the Total Environment on Nov. 10.
AVA IANNUCCILLO / THE TUFTS DAILY Patton, a staff scientist at the Health Ballou Hall and the Academic Quad are pictured on Oct. 6. Effects Institute, explained that the COVID-19 lockdown provided the team by Matthew McGovern Elevating the voices of young lead- Au shared that he is looking forward to with a rare opportunity to conduct a natu- News Editor ers and connecting them with other networking at the conference. ral experiment. like-minded individuals are both priori- “I do hope to attend the TNL2021 and “[Natural experiments are] usually The Talloires Network of Engaged ties for the Network, Hoyt said. don’t mind whether in person or virtu- related to major changes. Some of the Universities has unveiled a new feature These goals were echoed by Chau Au, ally,” Au said. “I do most look forward to most comparable examples include a of its Global Leaders Conference for a member of the Network’s steering com- meeting and networking with new faces & ban on sale of coal in Ireland, steel mill next fall, the Next Generation Leaders mittee and a student at the University of [gathering] insights and experiences.” and copper smelter strikes in the U.S., Initiative, which will be hosted by Tufts Technology Sydney. According to the Network’s website, the reunification of Germany, and major and Harvard University. The initiative will Au expanded on what he hopes young the young leaders will explore four sub- air quality regulations,” Patton wrote in be led in partnership with the Mastercard leaders can get out of this initiative. themes: “pandemic recovery and resil- an email to the Daily. “However, those Foundation and will be composed of 40 “Big impacts that I think that will have ience,” “innovations in gender equity,” changes are usually on a more local or civically engaged “next generation lead- for young, aspiring leaders who attend “structured listening methods and civic regional scale. This global natural exper- ers” from around the world. is the ability to collaborate and work in engagement futures.” iment will hopefully be a once-in-a-life- This initiative will function in tan- partnership by looking at a bigger picture Hoyt spoke to the importance of the time event.” dem with the Network’s Global Leaders (thinking and exploring opportunities Mastercard Foundation in designing and According to Durant, the team hypoth- Conference (TNLC2021). Participants will outside the box) on the context and nature implementing conference programming esized a steep decrease in traffic-related be accepted from universities within the from local, regional, national to the global for the Next Generation Leaders Initiative. air pollution and set out to measure the Network, and will engage with topics of level,” Au wrote in an email to the Daily. “Mastercard Foundation is truly a part- amount of decrease and its impact on civic and social engagement, according to As a member of the steering commit- ner – we have been working closely with Somerville’s air quality. the Network’s website. tee, Au has concentrated on ways the several staff to design and launch the pro- “So what we wanted to do was to Applicants for this initiative must be Network can amplify student voices and gram; we will work together as partners characterize air pollution levels during from schools that are signatory members organize a conference he described as through the selection, implementation a significant drop off in traffic so we can of the Network, and must demonstrate “unconventional, diverse and impactful.” and evaluation process as well,” Hoyt said. quantify the relationship between traffic civic and social responsibility, according Due to COVID-19, the conference may “The top priority for them is quality pro- decrease and … air quality improvement,” to Dr. Lorlene Hoyt, executive director of need to be held in a hybrid or fully virtual grams that support young people.” Durant said. the Talloires Network and research pro- format, according to Hoyt. The foundation recognizes the impor- Patton noted that to gather data, fessor in the Jonathan M. Tisch College of She expressed optimism about this for- tance of young leaders, according to a the team drove the Tufts Air Pollution Civic Life and the Department of Urban mat, and explained that the Network has statement by Reeta Roy, president and Monitoring Lab, an electric vehicle and Environmental Policy and Planning. already begun experimenting with online CEO of the Mastercard Foundation. equipped to monitor air quality, through In an email to the Daily, Hoyt spoke to programming. “Young people globally are confronting Somerville on 15 different days between what the Talloires Network is looking for in “The Network has been holding webi- some of the most pressing and complex March 24 and May 14. applicants for this initiative. nars since April and so we’re gaining expe- issues of our time: bringing them to the “The biggest challenges in natu- “We’re looking for dynamic young lead- rience with virtual events and learning foreground, calling for change, and offer- ral experiment research are getting on ers working with local communities who about what works well in that format,” ing practical solutions,” Roy wrote in a the ground quickly and finding the have an interest in connecting with their Hoyt said. statement. right comparison to make … we were peers around the world,” Hoyt wrote. “We This format will not significantly Roy also expressed excitement about fortunate that the Tufts Mobile Air hope the Next Generations Leaders will diverge from the Network’s original plans what young leaders can achieve when Pollution Laboratory was ready and bring back new skills to their communi- for the TNLC2021 conference. they come together to share strategies and able to quickly get in the field during ties and also a sense of purpose driven by “The first and final phases of the Next support one another. the period of lowest traffic this past the knowledge that they are working in Generation Leaders program would have The conference and the Next spring,” Patton said. concert with other young people around occurred virtually even under normal cir- Generation Leaders Initiative will be held the world.” cumstances,” Hoyt said. from Sept. 30 to Oct. 3, 2021. see AIR , page 2
NEWS 1 EDITORIAL / page 6 ARTS / page 4 SPORTS / back ARTS & POP CULTURE 3 Tufts should prioritize 10-year Grading top 5 picks FUN & GAMES 5 student housing anniversary of from Wednesday’s this winter Condie’s ‘Matched’ NBA draft OPINION 6 SPORTS BACK 2 THE TUFTS DAILY | News | Friday, November 20, 2020 tuftsdaily.com THE TUFTS DAILY Black carbon pollution released by buses, trucks, found to be Alex Viveros Editor in Chief lower than expected EDITORIAL Rebecca Barker Hannah Harris Managing Editors
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tuftsdaily Please recycle this tuftsdaily newspaper! ARTS & POP CULTURE 3 tuftsdaily.com Friday, November 20, 2020 Condie’s ‘Matched’ maintains eerily prophetic legacy after 10 years by Elizabeth Sander frustration that there are still Arts Editor leaders who do not believe that fundamental marriage rights It has been a decade since should be awarded to the “Matched” (2010), a celebrat- LGBTQ community. ed young adult novel written “There are a lot of people by Ally Condie, was published. who don’t get to choose who When it first hit the presses, they marry — we are still fight- Condie and others had a feel- ing that fight,” Condie said. ing that it would be successful, Another theme visited in but no one could have predict- this book was that of how to ed the prophetic nature of this care — or not, in the case particular piece of dystopian of this story — for the elderly. fiction. Hale described how “Matched” To celebrate the 10-year explores “the idea that old peo- anniversary of “Matched,” ple should die so the young Condie was joined by New York can be free,” and in doing so, Times bestselling author and it illuminates our own society’s friend Shannon Hale through leanings toward that dystopian Porter Square Books to discuss pondering. the implications of Condie’s Hale continued: “In America, bestseller and the life it has we tend to put old people out lived since its publication. to pasture.” With the current Hale expressed how stunned health care crisis and the way she was by how on point the in which COVID-19 dispropor- book seemed to be in addressing tionately affected the elderly in many issues that affect us now. nursing homes, the problem of Condie herself “didn’t feel like providing a meaningful place [she] was being prophetic” in for the elderly in American soci- writing “Matched” — she felt she ety is one that doesn’t find a was “just observing” — but it’s humane remedy in the novel. impossible not to see how Hale’s This aids in uncovering a statement holds true. In this truth of dystopian models and young adult novel set in a dysto- why they are so enthralling to pian future, citizens are matched readers of any age. Dystopian with their “ideal” partners based fictions are “cautionary tales”; on DNA and statistics. This idea Condie encourages readers to of a “match” is eerily familiar for ask themselves, “How did we many college students who grew get to that point?” Yet for a up reading Condie’s novel and novel that is set in America’s now find themselves “matching” dystopian future, it holds that with romantic partners on dat- we will need to read closely and ing apps. use these faulty societal models Condie explained that to hinder us from losing sight of “Matched” was based on “the our empathy, our need to care idea of getting to choose who for all people and to ensure love you love.” This is a freedom in all forms is acknowledged that characters Cassia, Xander and respected. and Ky weren’t guaranteed; One of Condie’s most endur- they had to make it for them- ing takeaways from the decade selves, and they’re not alone. of comments from her read- When”Matched” was written in ers is that many of them have 2008, same-sex marriage was sought to find a political agen- not yet legal in all 50 states, da in “Matched.” However, VIA BARNES & NOBLE but Condie explained that she Condie cautions readers of The deluxe edition cover of Ally Condie’s “Matched” (2010) is pictured. wrote the novel “actually feeling weaving the current political very hopeful … [the] dystopian system too far into the analysis choices?” There is no clear the young adult genre as a best for them … We want them world [of “Matched”] may not of the novel. At the end of the response in her trilogy, but whole. Writing for and about to be better than us.” come to pass.” day, “Matched” is not an alle- such complex contemplation teens means writing for those The above event was put on Condie expressed that it’s gory for the American political makes for a brilliant story of who will adapt to make change by local bookstore Porter Square eerie to revisit this story hav- system, but “an examination enduring love that proves “a in the world. According to Hale, Books. This serves as a friendly ing seen all the things that did of humanity.” As Condie elo- metaphor for the teenage expe- she loves writing young adult reminder to support your local come to pass, for better and quently said, one of the ques- rience.” novels because she can see independent bookstores this worse, since its publication. tions driving her writing was Before the closing of the “how much genuine love the holiday season. They need all The example touched upon “when we’re given the freedom event, both Condie and Hale writers have for their readers they can get to survive the toll at the event was the shared to choose, do we make good had to touch on their love for [and] how much they want the this pandemic has taken. 4 THE TUFTS DAILY | Arts & Pop Culture | Friday, November 20, 2020 tuftsdaily.com
TV SHOW REVIEW
HBO’s ‘The Undoing’ has already been done by Maeve Hagerty phy, coupled with a whole list of Contributing Writer other brilliant production details and actor performances. This review contains spoilers While “The Undoing” for HBO’s “The Undoing.” checks all of the same boxes, HBO’s newest crime drama, it seems to be a rather familiar “The Undoing” (2020), follows story in a rather familiar HBO many of the network’s usual fashion. Grant and Kidman tropes. As an HBO aficiona- deliver emotional, complex do, I have always enjoyed its performances with a natural often female-centered dra- ease, but there doesn’t seem mas focusing on how murder to be anything truly thrill- and intrigue affect the lives of ing about the series. It was wealthy families. sold as a sort of sensational However, how many of these murder mystery, yet the only shows can HBO actually make? chilling elements throughout “The Undoing” focuses on the the series are the clear unrav- life of a wealthy family living eling of Grace and her con- in Manhattan. Nicole Kidman tinued visions of Elena, who plays successful psychothera- had taken a bizarre interest in pist Grace Fraser who is married Grace prior to her murder. to pediatric oncologist Jonathan That is the biggest issue with (Hugh Grant); together, the “The Undoing”: The drama couple lives with their young doesn’t feel very dramatic. When son Henry (Noah Jupe), who I watched “Big Little Lies,” the attends a prestigious prepara- flashbacks and scenes of minor tory school. When Elena Alves characters testifying in police (Matilda De Angelis), the mother interrogation added to the ten- of a poor scholarship student at sion and increased the mystery. Henry’s school, is found mur- I spent every week after each dered, Grace’s husband disap- episode aired wondering who pears, leading Grace to realize the murderer could be and who that nothing is as it seems. they had murdered. In “Sharp When Jonathan becomes Objects,” the same was true of the main suspect of the police the show’s own murder mys- investigation after knowl- tery and additionally true of its edge of his affair with Elena strained family dynamics. But becomes public, Grace finds “The Undoing” does not deliver herself struggling to decide if this same intrigue. Sure, mur- she should believe her cheat- der in high Manhattan society ing husband is guilty of mur- is always interesting, but after der when she feels that the the first episode the show drags man she knows is incapable of into rather uneventful court- such an act. And yet, the mini- rooms and conversations. It is series is based on Jean Hanff beautiful and interesting in its Korelitz’s book titled “You own right, but feels too much a Should Have Known” (2014), stale half-child of HBO’s previ- so maybe Grace should recon- ous successes. sider her husband’s character. That being said, the show is That being said, the show devi- by no means a failure. Kidman’s ates greatly from the novel. performance is truly impres- Only the first four episodes sive, and one can see the tumult of the six-episode series have hit buried under the veneer of VIA IMDB HBO at the moment, but I found Grace’s schooled features. The A promotional poster for “The Undoing” (2020) is pictured. myself watching them with a tired panic, confusion and betray- interest. HBO’s previous shows, al she experiences are proba- mances, the cinematography — and jewels of high society yet “The Undoing” is more of “Big Little Lies” (2017–) and bly the most remarkable parts courtesy of Anthony Dod Mantle tainted by the image of Elena the same with less of the glam- “Sharp Objects” (2018), stirred of the series simply because — is also a success. Mantle takes Alves’ body sprawled in a puddle our and spectacle. I’d rather intrigue because of their twisted of Kidman’s adept portrayal of us through the streets of New of blood inside her messy base- rewatch “Big Little Lies” for the plots and striking cinematogra- each. Beyond the acting perfor- York City: glittering with the silk ment art studio. third time. tuftsdaily.com Friday, November 20, 2020 | FUN & GAMES | THE TUFTS DAILY 5 LATE NIGHT AT THE DAILY F&G Ryan (to Rebecca): “Hey poopy head” FUN & GAMES
SUDOKU MY DOG: FALL VIBES
Difficulty Level:Having a Zoom meeting on Lewis WiFi By Aidan Chang
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CROSSWORD 6 Opinion Friday, November 20, 2020 tuftsdaily.com
EDITORIAL Tufts, accommodate students who cannot return home for winter break
As this semester comes to a close, students are beginning to make plans for winter break. While many may be eager to return home for the holidays, some students may not have the same option due to restrictions imposed by the pandemic; inter- national students and students with high-risk family members, for example, could potential- ly face significant barriers to returning home. Despite these challenges, Tufts will offer lim- ited on-campus housing during winter break, with exceptions for “international students who face travel restrictions” and those fac- ing “significant hardships.” In determining who will be offered these exceptions, it is crit- ical that the Office of Residential Life and Learning (ORLL) take into account the extenuating financial, physical and emo- tional challenges that students face in this unprecedented time. Tufts must accommodate stu- dents who cannot return home during winter break by expand- ing on-campus housing to all students who need it. While the university says that it will make exceptions for stu- dents facing significant hard- ships, it is important to recog- nize that this promise has not always been fulfilled. Despite having fairly similar require- ments to apply for on-campus housing when campus closed in March, the university denied close to half of the housing requests received, leaving stu- dents to scramble for last min- ute housing options. For inter- national students and students in financially challenging situa- tions, limiting housing options was a major cause of stress. With hindsight bias and more time to plan this time around, it is nec- essary that Tufts learn from its mistakes and open on-campus housing to students that have limited housing options during the break. Providing sufficient on-cam- pus housing is particularly important due to the extenuat- ing conditions of the pandemic. BY JUJU ZWEIFACH With the recent rise in cases in Massachusetts and the United access to testing. In any of these on-campus operations and for winter break housing. When financial support to those who States, college students bring situations, it is vital that Tufts limiting students to designat- determining who will get to use cannot afford to travel home. home with them a high risk of provide a safe, reliable option ed residence halls, Tufts can on-campus facilities, Tufts must It should not come down spreading the virus. If rejected for students to reside during the address these restrictions while take all student concerns into to student groups, much less from on-campus housing, stu- long winter break. still allowing more students to account. Decisions should be students themselves, to have dents with vulnerable family It is understandable that remain on campus. made swiftly so that students to make last-minute housing members risk exposing them Tufts faces considerable restric- Given the exceptional cir- who are rejected from student arrangements. Ultimately, it is to the virus, especially if they tions that may prevent it from cumstances that our commu- housing have adequate time up to the university to provide all do not have the ability to prop- expanding on-campus hous- nity faces, it is more necessary to plan. For these students, it students with consistent, reliable erly quarantine upon arrival. ing, including reserving time to than ever that Tufts accommo- is imperative that the univer- support and resources, even after Furthermore, students who are clean residence halls and giving date students who may face sity offer them active support the semester ends in December. high risk themselves may feel Tufts staff well-deserved time uncertain living situations this and resources, such as helping In a time when so much is out of safer remaining on campus, off after working for months winter. Similar to recent years, arrange transportation, assist- our control, it is important that where they can maintain control to keep our community safe. Tufts should conduct a survey in ing students in finding alterna- Tufts preserve students’ “home of their surroundings and have However, by still decreasing order to gauge student demand tive living plans and providing away from home” on the Hill.
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Arnav Sacheti Timeline Hoops Traveler of Philippe Coutinho’s career The case for Australia COUTINHO continued from page 8 magine that you have just graduated Player of the Year and shortlisted for high school and you have your sights PFA Young Player of the Year. set on playing professional basketball in November 2016: Best in the Premier the NBA. The NBA requires that you wait League? (Value: Roughly €40 million) Ione year before entering. Therefore, you have The 2015–16 season offered a hike in some decisions to make about how to stay statistical efficiency for Coutinho, as new productive during this time. manager Jurgen Klopp built a high-press- Now imagine that in spite of never having ing team around the Brazilian, who could played an NBA game, you have 5.7 million focus on creativity in a role as a 10. His Instagram followers and half the basketball nonpenalty Xg90 + xA90 hiked from 0.32 fans in the country have known about you to 0.53, and Paris Saint-Germain reported- since your first year of high school. ly had multiple bids rejected in the sum- With that level of fame, the pressure is on mer, including one as high as €40 million. and the clock is ticking. What do you choose? He finally began receiving interna- Here’s some guidance. tional attention, buoyed by his selection For most American players, this deci- for the Copa America in the summer of sion is easy. You spend one year at a college 2016, by scoring a hat trick against Haiti. basketball powerhouse, learn from the best Subsequent goals in appearances in World college coaches soaking up all you can, and Cup qualifiers that fall, coupled with his get out. highly publicized friendship with Brazilian But Charlotte Hornets NBA guard Lamelo superstar Neymar, sparked the question: Ball from Chino Hills, Calif., saw value in a Was Coutinho, now in the conversation less conventional option. for the best player in the Premier League, During his gap year, Ball played for the worthy to join his friend at dream-club Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball Barcelona? League (NBL) in Australia. At face value this This claim was bolstered by Coutinho’s seems like a head scratcher. Ball had commit- 10 goal involvements through Liverpool’s ted to playing at the University of California, first 11 games of the league season that Los Angeles, a Div. I basketball stalwart, at 13 helped perch the club atop the table. years old. Playing on the wing with even fewer Not only would he have entered a pro- defensive duties than before, British tab- gram that produced NBA legends like loids were now quick to cast him as the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but he also would league’s best. have been minutes away from his home. Being in the United States during the year, he would have garnered more attention from NBA recruiters. What is the case for Australia, then? The NBL’s Next Stars program provided this opportunity for Ball and many other current NBA players, such as the Denver Nuggets’ RJ Hampton and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Terrance Ferguson. The theme of the program is a player-driv- en one, giving a lot and taking little away. It gives players $50,000, as well as access to a luxurious home and transportation ame- nities. Most importantly, it gives players an opportunity to compete and develop. “Our league is a pretty tough league. Not as known around the world, but there’s not a lot of teams and it’s very physical, very compet- itive. I think that’s given [Ball] a leg up when you compare him to college guys. I think he’ll be a bit more ready and accustomed to that grown-man basketball,” Andrew Bogut said in a radio interview. Bogut is a former NBA player and one of Ball’s opponents in the NBL. This concept of giving a lot and taking a little is what college basketball in the United States is often criticized for not doing. With no opportunity to make money as well as having to play in systems rigidly imposed by college coaches, more players are see- ing international basketball as a stronger career-building option. Through its program, Australia is primed to attract this market. The opportunity for American players to get out of their com- fort zone while still playing in an English- speaking country with a high standard of living is a perfect mix. With the style of play in the NBL being similar to that of the NBA, Ball and many others who pass through Australia should be well equipped for the rigors of the best bas- ketball league in the world. After all, the NBA is still the dream, and right now, Australia, while not in first place yet to college basket- ball, is quietly inching closer. What’s your decision?
Arnav Sacheti is a sophomore studying quantitative economics. Arnav can be reached at [email protected] 8 Sports Friday, November 20, 2020 tuftsdaily.com Grading the top 5 NBA draft picks by David Cooperman and, hopefully, Klay Thompson ting it. Passing up on Deni Contributing Writer around him. However, in an Avdija, Onyeka Okongwu and era increasingly unkind to tra- Obi Toppin in favor of a player Minnesota Timberwolves ditional bigs, it is fair to won- that didn’t even start in college (No. 1): Anthony Edwards, SG, der whether Wiseman will ever is a gamble. Williams shot up University of Georgia develop the shooting touch draft boards in recent weeks, as What ultimately turned out and elite defensive production teams bought into his upside to be a pick that caused little needed to become a superstar. as a potential cornerstone as debate, Edwards was the right Still, the Warriors got the pros- a small-ball four. While some choice for Minnesota. A much pect they wanted, and, at least might not agree, Williams fits better team fit than the two fol- in the short term, Wiseman well in Chicago. He should slide lowing selections, the swingman makes the most sense here. in seamlessly as Otto Porter’s should step into the No. 3 scor- Grade: B- future replacement, and if he er role behind Karl Anthony- Charlotte Hornets (No. 3): pans out, the Bulls brass will be Towns and D’Angelo Russell, Lamelo Ball, PG hailed as geniuses. However, for right away. However, this pick This pick is great for a team seemingly not far away still carries some boom-or- Charlotte. Sure, Ball has from competing for a playoff bust potential, primarily due immense bust potential. At this spot, this selection was risky. to Edwards’ suspect jump shot. point, the gamble is worth it This is the right idea, but the He has drawn some compari- for Buzz City. Perfect for a fran- wrong guy. Grade: C+ sons to Andrew Wiggins, which chise devoid of superstar talent, Cleveland Cavaliers (No. might be a bit scary following Ball, in popular opinion, has 5): Isaac Okoro, PF, Auburn the Canadian’s disappointing the most upside in the class. University run in Minnesota. On the flip His passing, unlimited shooting Okoro’s defensive prowess side, Edwards’ potential is sim- range and length (there aren’t is unmatched in this draft, and ply too high to pass up here. too many 6-foot-7-inch floor there is no team in more dire The Timberwolves made the generals in the league) should need of help at the less glorious right pick. Grade: A- translate well, and he certain- end of the floor than Cleveland. Golden State Warriors ly has the potential to silence Whether or not this pick is a hit (No. 2): James Wiseman, C, those who question his matu- boils down to one thing: Okoro’s University of Memphis rity and drive. Unless the feud development as a shooter. If he Wiseman has franchise cor- between Ball’s father, Lavar, can add a reliable jumper to nerstone potential, and the fit and Michael Jordan continues his game, Okoro can become in Golden State is perfect for to fester, this will turn out to one of the coveted players at his development. However, be a home run for the Hornets. his position. However, on the Wiseman simply has too many Grade: A flip side, a nonshooting, noncre- question marks to be worth the Chicago Bulls (No. 4): ating forward has very limited No. 2 selection. His athleticism Patrick Williams, SF, Florida potential. Ultimately, this selec- will translate immediately into State University tion for Cleveland is a solid pick, an above-average rim runner, This was a bold selection; although Avdija or Toppin might COURTESY WIKIMEDIA COMMONS especially with Stephen Curry there is no other way of put- have been better. Grade: B- No. 3 draft pick Lamelo Ball is pictured. How Barcelona stunted Philippe Coutinho, part 1 by Jeremy Goldstein Mourinho, signed the 16-year-old came in with an £8.5 million Sports Editor Coutinho for €4 million in 2008. offer in the January window; After two years on loan in Brazil, Coutinho, blinded by the glam of The post-Neymar vacuum the teenager joined the team in Anfield, selected the Scouse side. at FC Barcelona has swallowed the summer of 2010 on the back May 2015: Coutinho voted up more souls than even Lionel of Inter’s treble-winning season. Liverpool Player of the Season Messi could save. Despite Massimo Moratti, the (Value: Roughly €30 million) Arrivals Ousmane Dembélé, former chairman of Inter Milan, Coutinho was a key cog in Antoine Griezmann, Malcom saying “Coutinho is the future of Liverpool’s title-challenging and the mercurial Philippe Inter,” the Brazilian played just 2013–14 team under manager Coutinho have fallen well short 28 times in the next 18 months, Brandon Rogers, playing either of expectations and fees. Not scoring twice and struggling with as a center midfielder in a 4–4–2 only was Barcelona clearly in the language barrier. diamond or on the wing in a need of an attacking threat to January 2012: Frustration, 4–3–3. His signature bent-over, replace the outgoing Neymar loan to Espanyol (Value: right-footed curler in the far following his shocking and Roughly €9 million) corner that’s such a staple of record-breaking transfer to Paris RCD Espanyol is the little his game today made a grand Saint-Germain in summer 2017, brother in a city featuring the appearance in a crucial 3–2 April but every selling club on the team Coutinho always dreamed victory over eventual-champions market was also ready to sell of playing for when he was a kid Manchester City FC, as he bent high on prized assets. in Brazil idolizing Ronaldinho: a ball in from the top of the box No club danced to Barcelona’s Barcelona. The club’s young past keeper Joe Hart following a desperate waltz better than manager, Mauricio Pochettino, Vincent Kompany “slice.” Liverpool FC, which magnifi- played a high-pressing 4–2–3–1, With talisman Luis Suárez cently gallivanted Coutinho’s a formation and game style more sold before the 2014–15 sea- fee up from the sub-€40 million suited to Coutinho than the rigid son, Coutinho was given a value it had in summer 2016 to style of Rafael Benitez, manager mandate further forward. The a reported €160 million just a year of Inter Milan. Six goal involve- Brazilian’s play still featured and a half later. How did Michael ments in just 16 games, includ- maddening inconsistency and Edwards, the Liverpool FC sport- ing a memorable brace in a 5–1 moments of flash instead of ing director, and company pull demolition of Rayo Vallecano, sustained brilliance. His goals off such a stunt? Let’s track the saw Coutinho boost his stock. and assists tally inched only rise and fall of Coutinho’s trans- A return to Inter Milan, how- from 13 to 14 in all competi- fer value since his days as a tricky ever, offered little opportunity tions, despite playing close to youngster in Brazil. for game time. Bids began flying 1,500 more minutes. Thanks to June 2010: Arrival at Inter in for the mercurial magician, some late-minute heroics on Milan (Value: €4 million in 2008) including from Southampton the road to a FA Cup semifinal,
COURTESY WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Flourishing in the Vasco da FC, now managed by Pochettino. Coutinho was voted Liverpool Philippe Coutinho is pictured in 2018 during the FIFA World Cup. Gama youth system in his native However, at the behest of for- city of Rio, Inter Milan, led by José mer manager Benitez, Liverpool see COUTINHO, page 7