It was hailed as an 'old-school signing.' It happened in barely over an hour. One moment they were rumors. The next Fabinho was posing for pictures in Liverpool's red. As Liverpool's fans speculated over when Nabil Fekir would finally be signed, or whether Alisson or Jan Oblak would be the better fit, Fabinho was getting his physical done on Merseyside. Plenty of hype has surrounded the summer's fastest transfer saga, but who is Fabinho? What will he contribute to Liverpool? That's what we're going to dive into today.
A Brief Introduction:
Fabinho is 24-years-old and from Brazil. He was a crucial part in the Monaco side that won Ligue 1 two seasons ago and with his youth still very much in tact, the expectation is that his best days are still to come. Before Monaco, he spent his youth career in Brazil with Fluminense before making a move over to Rio Ave where he did not make an appearance. He made a lone appearance with Real Madrid under then-manager Jose Mourinho, who he was with on loan, but he really found his footing during his lone spell with Monaco where they liked him enough that his deal was made permanent.
Fabinho thrived in France and gained valuable experience in European football as well. With 29 games played in the Champions League, he will immediately inject a bit of added experience into this youthful Liverpool side. As mentioned, his role with Monaco's league-winning squad was huge, but following this accomplishment, he made it known that he wished to leave. With serious ties to Manchester United, Manchester City, and Atletico Madrid, Liverpool's interest seemed only to be passing in comparison. It was rumored even that PSG were being instructed to pay up to 60 million euros (about 52 million British pounds) for the midfielder's services. As it seems to have turned out, however, it was much more than that. And for reportedly just about 39 million pounds, it seems to have been for a bargain price.
Match Made in Midfield:
Not since Javier Mascherano have Liverpool had a world-class caliber holding mid. Liverpool have needed that defensive midfielder for some time. Fabinho could break that spell. Jordan Henderson occupied that spot this season and had a stellar year, but improving that #6 man spot has seemed to be a priority for the Reds this summer. This signing doesn't mean that suddenly the captain of the Champions League runners-up no longer has a spot. If anything, this is a move that finally signals what most have been expecting for months -- that Emre Can is indeed leaving (presumably to Juventus) on a free transfer. This has not been confirmed but if it is indeed the case as it has been so heavily discussed, massive credit must go to the entire Liverpool staff in being proactive and not reactive in their talent acquisition.
How will the midfield work around him? It seems that it would likely be business-as-usual for the Reds, despite their new faces. Naby Keita will surely take up the role of the more box-to-box midfielder in the starting eleven. With Fabinho more defensive in his positioning, this leaves the more attacking minded midfield spot left, which is the one that Nabil Fekir would likely occupy if a deal were to occur. A whole new midfield for a manager like Jurgen Klopp, who values building a team based around chemistry and togetherness, seems odd to think about. But this makes massive sense. Liverpool has continually needed depth and the injury crises throughout this season put that on full display. With mid-week games to come as a result of another season of Champions League along FA and Carabao Cup matches in the fold this is now Klopp and Michael Edwards, Liverpool's sporting director, building a team to last. Liverpool, when fully fit, now project to have two full midfielders of talent. As for team chemistry, Fabinho already knows Roberto Firmino from the national team. This should make life much easier for the new Brazilian in Liverpool.
Stylistic Features:
Signings are always exciting, but will they produce? Let's take a look at Fabinho strengths. Obviously as a defensive midfielder, one is the defensive side of the pitch. According to WhoScored, he averaged almost three aerial duels won per game. He is a strong tackler as well and is capable of intercepting passes and starting counter-attacks. With Monaco, one of their strengths as a team was this sort of ability to stay structured while attacking. During the league-winning campaign, Fabinho was partnered with Tiemoue Bakayoko and the two, despite being known both as defensive midfielders, worked out a balance to allow one to attack and one to drop a bit deeper in the event of a counter attack. You could see a bit of this in set-up for Monaco this season too as Fabinho generally played beside Joao Moutinho who has similar experience in ability to attack but also defend. Moutinho's defensive abilities also allowed Fabinho to get forward and contribute eight goals on the season. With a team where he will be the sole defensive midfielder, I think he will be more of the man with a key pass from the deeper midfield position to start an attack, like Henderson this season, but also in his bag of tricks is that sort of run up the pitch that Emre Can became known for.
Some may point to Bakayoko and say that he is proof that perhaps this deal may not work in Liverpool's favor. I think a myriad of factors led to Bakayoko performing poorly this season: a massive change in formation (from Monaco's 4-4-2 with two DMs to Conte's 3-5-1-1 playing alongside Kante and Fabregas frequently), expectations, also though the player he was trying to directly replace (Nemanja Matic) having a rock-solid year at rivals United. I don't think that's the case for Fabinho. He is a player who will be going into a comfortable environment playing in a position that allows him to utilize his strengths in the most suitable way. I don't think there will be any confusion in his role and he will be slotting alongside nine other outfield players who know their roles as well. He has had enough success and has the sort of technical and defensive ability that I trust the staff's judgment that there will be no major issues in Fabinho's settling-in time at the club.
Final Thoughts:
This is another case of one of Europe's finest players linking up with Liverpool over other top-tier clubs. It's tough not to get excited about an instance like this. Fabinho started out at right-back and shifted to DM, similar to what Trent Alexander-Arnold could potentially do as well. I think this is something that perhaps has been looked over. Fabinho assisting with Trent's development could allow the young Scouser to reach his full potential adding yet another positive to this deal as a whole. The transfer improves the entire team's quality while sparking up some positive competition between some players who have typically been nailed on as members of the starting eleven. He's proven to have the skills to win titles and compete in Europe. And that's exactly why Liverpool have signed him.
Follow me on Twitter @RMABTweets for more transfer discussion, as well as plenty other things! Thanks to WhoScored for statistic help.
A Brief Introduction:
Fabinho is 24-years-old and from Brazil. He was a crucial part in the Monaco side that won Ligue 1 two seasons ago and with his youth still very much in tact, the expectation is that his best days are still to come. Before Monaco, he spent his youth career in Brazil with Fluminense before making a move over to Rio Ave where he did not make an appearance. He made a lone appearance with Real Madrid under then-manager Jose Mourinho, who he was with on loan, but he really found his footing during his lone spell with Monaco where they liked him enough that his deal was made permanent.
Fabinho thrived in France and gained valuable experience in European football as well. With 29 games played in the Champions League, he will immediately inject a bit of added experience into this youthful Liverpool side. As mentioned, his role with Monaco's league-winning squad was huge, but following this accomplishment, he made it known that he wished to leave. With serious ties to Manchester United, Manchester City, and Atletico Madrid, Liverpool's interest seemed only to be passing in comparison. It was rumored even that PSG were being instructed to pay up to 60 million euros (about 52 million British pounds) for the midfielder's services. As it seems to have turned out, however, it was much more than that. And for reportedly just about 39 million pounds, it seems to have been for a bargain price.
Match Made in Midfield:
Not since Javier Mascherano have Liverpool had a world-class caliber holding mid. Liverpool have needed that defensive midfielder for some time. Fabinho could break that spell. Jordan Henderson occupied that spot this season and had a stellar year, but improving that #6 man spot has seemed to be a priority for the Reds this summer. This signing doesn't mean that suddenly the captain of the Champions League runners-up no longer has a spot. If anything, this is a move that finally signals what most have been expecting for months -- that Emre Can is indeed leaving (presumably to Juventus) on a free transfer. This has not been confirmed but if it is indeed the case as it has been so heavily discussed, massive credit must go to the entire Liverpool staff in being proactive and not reactive in their talent acquisition.
How will the midfield work around him? It seems that it would likely be business-as-usual for the Reds, despite their new faces. Naby Keita will surely take up the role of the more box-to-box midfielder in the starting eleven. With Fabinho more defensive in his positioning, this leaves the more attacking minded midfield spot left, which is the one that Nabil Fekir would likely occupy if a deal were to occur. A whole new midfield for a manager like Jurgen Klopp, who values building a team based around chemistry and togetherness, seems odd to think about. But this makes massive sense. Liverpool has continually needed depth and the injury crises throughout this season put that on full display. With mid-week games to come as a result of another season of Champions League along FA and Carabao Cup matches in the fold this is now Klopp and Michael Edwards, Liverpool's sporting director, building a team to last. Liverpool, when fully fit, now project to have two full midfielders of talent. As for team chemistry, Fabinho already knows Roberto Firmino from the national team. This should make life much easier for the new Brazilian in Liverpool.
Stylistic Features:
Signings are always exciting, but will they produce? Let's take a look at Fabinho strengths. Obviously as a defensive midfielder, one is the defensive side of the pitch. According to WhoScored, he averaged almost three aerial duels won per game. He is a strong tackler as well and is capable of intercepting passes and starting counter-attacks. With Monaco, one of their strengths as a team was this sort of ability to stay structured while attacking. During the league-winning campaign, Fabinho was partnered with Tiemoue Bakayoko and the two, despite being known both as defensive midfielders, worked out a balance to allow one to attack and one to drop a bit deeper in the event of a counter attack. You could see a bit of this in set-up for Monaco this season too as Fabinho generally played beside Joao Moutinho who has similar experience in ability to attack but also defend. Moutinho's defensive abilities also allowed Fabinho to get forward and contribute eight goals on the season. With a team where he will be the sole defensive midfielder, I think he will be more of the man with a key pass from the deeper midfield position to start an attack, like Henderson this season, but also in his bag of tricks is that sort of run up the pitch that Emre Can became known for.
Some may point to Bakayoko and say that he is proof that perhaps this deal may not work in Liverpool's favor. I think a myriad of factors led to Bakayoko performing poorly this season: a massive change in formation (from Monaco's 4-4-2 with two DMs to Conte's 3-5-1-1 playing alongside Kante and Fabregas frequently), expectations, also though the player he was trying to directly replace (Nemanja Matic) having a rock-solid year at rivals United. I don't think that's the case for Fabinho. He is a player who will be going into a comfortable environment playing in a position that allows him to utilize his strengths in the most suitable way. I don't think there will be any confusion in his role and he will be slotting alongside nine other outfield players who know their roles as well. He has had enough success and has the sort of technical and defensive ability that I trust the staff's judgment that there will be no major issues in Fabinho's settling-in time at the club.
Final Thoughts:
This is another case of one of Europe's finest players linking up with Liverpool over other top-tier clubs. It's tough not to get excited about an instance like this. Fabinho started out at right-back and shifted to DM, similar to what Trent Alexander-Arnold could potentially do as well. I think this is something that perhaps has been looked over. Fabinho assisting with Trent's development could allow the young Scouser to reach his full potential adding yet another positive to this deal as a whole. The transfer improves the entire team's quality while sparking up some positive competition between some players who have typically been nailed on as members of the starting eleven. He's proven to have the skills to win titles and compete in Europe. And that's exactly why Liverpool have signed him.
Follow me on Twitter @RMABTweets for more transfer discussion, as well as plenty other things! Thanks to WhoScored for statistic help.
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