Brentford manager Thomas Frank has praised Fabio Carvalho’s “great abilities” and suggested he will use the winger as a number 10 after signing the 21-year-old from Liverpool for £27.5 million plus potential add-ons.
The Reds rejected a £15m bid from Southampton for Carvalho after his second goal of their US tour earlier this month but have now completed a deal with the Bees for a player who Frank envisages potentially playing across his frontline.
“Offensively, he has great abilities on the ball,” Frank told Brentford’s website. “He can go past players, slide a pass, create chances and get on the end of chances.
Fáb signing. pic.twitter.com/hN8nRuYo8f
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) August 12, 2024
“His best position is probably as a number 10 or coming in from the left. He’s a type of player that we don’t have many of in the squad so he will add that something extra for us.
“His ability and mentality to work hard in the pressure is also very, very good. That’s along with him ticking all the boxes from a cultural perspective and being the right character. We’re very pleased to see him come in and push the team forward.”
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Fabio Carvalho stats
Carvalho joined Liverpool from Fulham in July 2022 for £5m plus add-ons, scoring his first goal in a 9-0 home win over Bournemouth the following month.
He made 21 appearances and scored three goals in his first season but only played three times in the Premier League for a total of 11 minutes after mid-October.
“This is what pre-season is all about!” 🙌
Fabio Carvalho’s match reaction in Philly 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/xra1wCg2fI
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 1, 2024
A season-long loan to RB Leipzig followed in 2023/24, although Carvalho returned to Liverpool in December, having played 15 times for the Bundesliga side.
Championship club Hull City then signed him on loan, for whom Carvalho produced nine goals and two assists in 20 matches.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 4, 2024
Carvalho: Liverpool pre-season ‘amazing’
Carvalho scored the opening goal of Liverpool’s 3-0 win against Manchester United in South Carolina on August 4, continuing his promising form after netting in a 2-1 win over Arsenal in Philadelphia three days earlier.
“It’s just good to get some minutes,” Carvalho said of playing on Liverpool’s US tour. “For young players like myself – and some of the even younger lads – it’s amazing and what you want to be part of. Everyone has got a chance to impress and we’ll just go from there.”
Brentford’s Premier League opener is at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday (2pm). They then visit Liverpool in their first away game on August 25 (4.30pm).
