Fábio Carvalho Should Be Sold This Summer

I can understand why it is easy for the fanbase to become mildly dissatisfied, essentially when reports of potential LFC sales arrive before confirmation of incoming recruits. Despite the end of contract departures of Adrián, Thiago Alcântara, and Joël Matip, the squad has become top heavy due to the return of young players who spent last season away on loan. Regarding the former Fulham academy graduate, Fábio Carvalho, his second half of last season (spent at Hull) was a promising one, one that may have escalated his market value close to £30m.

Upon arriving back at Anfield to undertake preseason preparations, the former Benfica child prodigy was always likely to become a fringe player who may be sold on, especially if a certain valuation was met by interested parties. Following a bright and goal scoring run of form during Liverpool’s recent US preseason tour, the likes of Southampton and Leicester City have begun circling the wagons, with clear intentions to attain the signature of the 21-year-old attacking midfielder.

25-30M + sell on fee % at least for Fabio Carvalho. He is a talent and will do very well for a team if it ain’t us (and Hughes & Slot decides that next week)

— Moby (@Mobyhaque1) August 5, 2024

Any Hope For Anfield Career?

If we were to look at the predominant playing positions of the English born, Portuguese under-21 international, his own self-proclaimed   best role is in the number 10, though the summer has seen his new Head Coach, Arne Slot, task him into a left sided midfield position. There is clarity in where his skill set is best suited, with attributes which have enabled him to shine brightly in the last few weeks. Within a 4-2-3-1 system of play, you could absolutely see the ambitious ballplayer in such a formation and succeeding.

My main concern is that with the return of Luis Díaz, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Núñez, and Alexis McAllister (from international duty and subsequent breaks), the chances to shine will start to regress more and more. The reemergence to the fold of the Argentina World Cup winner, McAllister, coupled with the expected signing of a defensive midfielder, should in turn allow the Hungarian skipper, Dominik Szoboszlai, a permanent move into the line of three behind the centre forward.

Those eventualities would recreate deep coverage on both the left wing and the second striker spot, behind either Darwin or Diogo Jota. In such a scenario, it could relegate Fábio back onto the substitutes bench, thereby creating an issue for a promising player that seems determined to start games this season.

Sell Before Buying?

At times, it seems to be a toxic subject when Liverpool is moving on personnel to validate their own recruitment needs. By contrast, the recent transfer strategies of both Chelsea and Manchester United have been absurd, making it clear that their uncoordinated objectives offer neither short nor long-term solutions to their elite level aims.

Following the return of the Liverpool contingent which spent their summer preparations in North America, the Merseyside giants new Sporting Director, Richard Hughes, can now start to finalize the plans that would have been meticulously formulated since the end of last season. This historic football club needs to be smarter and more considered in its moves, when considering the current prowess of the immediate opposition.

To compete with the sports washing behemoth, Manchester City, as well as the huge spending, Arsenal, there must be better judgement undertaken by the reds to overcome their closest foes. Due to profit and sustainability regulations causing a stir for many endangered clubs, it creates opportunities in both incoming and outgoing the AXA Training Centre. The need to supplement an already substantial transfer fund can only benefit the long-term vision of the Sporting CEO, Michael Edwards.

Once upon a time, this gifted executive was able to assist an illustrious German manager in making his team the most feared entity on the footballing planet. Under this newly established regime and with these men in charge of footballing operations, sales of fringe players will always be sanctioned to safely attain what is required. High end transfer fees and world class contracts are now part of what this group must deliver (to new and internal assets), which makes opportunistic sales paramount to progression.

EXCL: Leicester City enter the race for Fabio Carvalho as talks start for former Fulham player.

Southampton had bid rejected by Liverpool last week. pic.twitter.com/tLNyqOROwc

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 5, 2024

What Next?

The process of supporting a team such as Liverpool FC, is never meant to be easy and situations can cause paranoia when the competition appears busier in their transactions. I remain fully invested in what can be undertaken in the month of August, essentially given the appointment of the new CEO, Michael Edwards.

If a luxury player, like Fábio Carvalho, can attain a fee in or around the £30m mark, then this is the type of deal that should be sanctioned by his bosses. After scoring nine goals and assisting a further two more in just twenty games (for Hull City), the valuation of the 4-cap Portugal under-21 international may never be higher. All supporters want what is best for the club, however, certain decisions and realities must be accepted and under the watch of new leadership, trust and patience is once again required.