Inter Milan wonderkid wants to be a superstar like Robinho. Asked which players he takes inspiration from, Coutinho failed to mention his new team-mates, preferring to keep the theme Brazilian as he pondered a place in the Selecao. Its believed that Robinho has since sorted him out with some Manchester City Hospitality Tickets to come and watch him play.
"Robinho and Kaka; I watch them on TV and I like them a lot," he added.
Robinho has called on Roberto Mancini to give him the chance to make a new start away from City. And the Blues hierarchy must now decide whether to cut their losses on the Brazilian playmaker.
Robinho has indicated that he wants to stay in his native country with Santos, who he joined on loan from City at the end of January.
The problem is there is no way the Brazilian club could afford his transfer fee or match his salary at City.
AC Milan have not made any contact with the Blues regarding the 26-year-old, despite reports indicating their interest in signing him.
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Santos star striker Robinho offered his support and advice for Adriano on Thursday, urging Adriano to take better care of his physical condition in order not to be kicked off the squad to travel to South Africa for the 2010 World Cup.
"Adriano is a great player. He is one of the best strikers that I have ever seen. It is a shame that I have to ask him to take better care of himself. You never know what is going through the head of Dunga. I want Adriano alongside me at the World Cup his best possible shape," said Robinho.
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has revealed the club are in talks with Santos and Sao Paulo over a loan deal for Robinho. The Brazil international's future at Eastlands has been the subject of fervent speculation in the last few days, with the player claiming he was close to making a return to Santos, one of his former clubs.
Robinho believes he is "90 per cent certain" to leave Manchester City and join Santos on loan, 16 months after his arrival in a British-record £34.2 million move.
Roberto Mancini, the City manager, claimed after yesterday’s 4-2 win away to Scunthorpe United in the FA Cup fourth round that he expects Robinho to stay and that he was not aware of any possible move. But behind the public statements, the Italian has told the club’s hierarchy that he is prepared to allow the Brazil forward to leave.
Robinho will be part of Manchester City's squad for the Carling Cup semi-final decider at Old Trafford.
The Brazilian thought Sunday's FA Cup win over Scunthorpe would be his last game for the Blues as he tries to negotiate himself a loan move to Santos.
But as the deal is yet to go through, the former Real Madrid man is up for selection by manager Roberto Mancini.
Patrick Vieira (ankle) is still sidelined but Emmanuel Adebayor is available and Kolo Toure will be checked once he arrives back from Africa Cup of Nations
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini insisted Robinho still has a future at the club after he was humiliatingly substituted at Everton on Saturday.
The Brazilian international replaced the injured Roque Santa Cruz after nine minutes - but was himself substituted on the hour by Shaun Wright-Phillips.
"Is it the end of the line for Robinho? No. He is a good player," said Mancini, after City's 2-0 defeat. Like everyone in the squad, he needs to work hard and play well."
Liga Sagres table toppers Benfica are closely monitoring highly rated Manchester City attacker Robinho, according to a report in Portuguese nespaper A Bola.
The Portuguese titans are in the market for a new winger due to the ongoing uncertainty about the future of Argentinian youngster Angel di Maria, who is continually being linked with a move to the Premier League, and Benfica reportedly see Robinho as the perfect replacement.
