Monaco may not have ended up retaining their Ligue 1 title this season, finishing 2nd behind new champions Paris Saint-Germain on the back of a disappointing 13 point deficit. They have, however, qualified for next season’s Champions League after finished two points clear of third place Lyon and three ahead of Marseille. One of the highlights of Monaco’s season has been the continued performance levels of one Fabinho. Fabinho, full name Fabio Tavares (not to be confused with the Rochdale U18 striker of the same name) capped off a great season by sealing a move to the Premier League, where he will join new club Liverpool in July.
Fabinho ended the campaign with 78 points, and while that may not necessarily be huge considering his 10m valuation, it is much higher than some players who would set you back more. He started 34 of Monaco’s 38 games through the league season, and managed to bag himself seven goals – no mean feat for a defender. Then again, he has played more as a midfielder for most of the season. He had been hoping to join his native Brazil this summer for the World Cup in Russia, but was left out of coach Tite’s final squad, meaning he will have to wait a little while longer to add to the four international caps he already has under his belt.
Fabinho signed for Monaco on a permanent basis in 2015, having previously spent time on loan at the club. Before that spell, he was loaned by parent club Rio Ave to Real Madrid, where he made one appearance. Playing just 14 minutes for Los Blancos, he managed to provide an assist for Angel Di Maria during Real’s 6-2 La Liga win over Malaga on 8th May 2013. In joining Liverpool, Fabinho brings with him versatility of course, capable of playing either at right back or as a defensive midfielder. That provides cover for Jurgen Klopp which at times would have been massively desired at Anfield this season.
The reported transfer fee of £40m may dwarf his Euro Fantasy League valuation of 10m, but yet he arrives at a shade over half the price Liverpool paid Southampton for Virgil van Dijk back in January (£75m). With time this summer to move to the north west and get settled on Merseyside before the season begins once again in August, Fabinho could find himself a much loved figure with the Kop if he can reproduce the performances he has been offering the Monaco faithful in Ligue 1 throughout the season.
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