Fabulous Fab

[Modo]

I picked Fabs as my favourite player in the current squad. It wasn't an easy pick, cause there's so many players to like.
Mane is a close second for me but Fabs has, for lack of a better word, "revolutionised" our midfield. It's not reactionary because of his goal yesterday, I've held him in high regard for a long while.

Fabinho is exactly what we needed in midfield since Mascherano left. He's not only a destroyer, he's a playmaker as well. Sure, Mascherano was arguably a better midfield destroyer than him. Alonso was definitely a better passer and playmaker, but he's got a little bit of both in him and he does those Momo Sissoko type tackles with his long legs.
The man can shoot and take penalties as well, so why not add a little Didi Hamann into the mix.

Sadly he's got Lucas level pace, haha.

Is it too far of a stretch to say that he's on his way to becoming our best DM ever?

I don't know if he has any doubters left, I know someone on here who tried to inject some doubt early on but let's just leave him nameless *wink*.

My favourite aspect of his game is his vision and passing. He doesn't hit too many "Hollywood" balls, but I like the fact the he's comfortable playing in a high tempo. He releases the ball quickly, always knows who's around him and isn't afraid to hold on to the ball or drive forward into space when needed. Many of our attacks start with him in midfield, because he has the ability to instantly turn attack into defense.

Maybe he's not the best DM we've ever had but imo, he's currently our most important midfielder.

Obligatory video (tip just mute the video, the music is annoying):

 

[Insignificance]

He surely is in superb form and I think it is wonderful to watch him play. I like the fact that combined with his defensive abilities he is very good on the ball as well. I think be has a aura of greatness around him and it must be well respected and feared by opposition.

 

[iseered]

Nice little moment yesterday after Fernandhino tackled him and he just laughed it off. Too cool to care.

 

[darkstarexodus]

He's brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.
Like you say @Modo he's not as good at any one aspect of his game as our best specialists were, but his ability to integrate all these skills at a high level is outstanding.

 

[mom]

I remember the days when Didi used to prowl in front of the defence, breaking things up at will. It’s nice to have that sort of safety net there again, but one which offers more in getting forward and keeping the game flowing quickly.

 

[juniormember]

Much as I loved Mascherano, he needed an Alonso next to him to be fully effective.
Fabs can do it on his own (yes the other two midfielders help like hell with their work rate and positioning, but you get the point) and his passing vision can be amazing at times too.
Ali, VVD, Fabs, Bobby. What a spine.

 

[Frogfish]

His technical skills are superb, great control from his first touch to his layoff, dribbling or searching pass. Such a typical Brazilian. Cool and calm he is the perfect defence-minded player (I hesitate to say DM because he is far far more than that). He could easily become (even if he hasn't already) He has already become as important to this team's dynamics as VvD, TAA or Robbo. How often do player's of his ilk give us 'Wow' moments ? He often does.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Best DM in the world ... not even close.

 

[moron]

Much as I loved Mascherano, he needed an Alonso next to him to be fully effective.
Fabs can do it on his own (yes the other two midfielders help like hell with their work rate and positioning, but you get the point) and his passing vision can be amazing at times too.
Ali, VVD, Fabs, Bobby. What a spine.

Ah , very Brazil like that spine, so many years ago it would have made me cry in a good way. Still this lot ... fucking wow !!!

 

[Hansern]

Best DM in the world ... not even close.

Yeah, the commentator said this during the City game, and its not even up for discussion. He's playing at an insanely high level at the moment.

 

[Brizzle]

He has it all (apart from pace)

 

[manwithnoname]

I picked Fabs as my favourite player in the current squad. It wasn't an easy pick, cause there's so many players to like.
Mane is a close second for me but Fabs has, for lack of a better word, "revolutionised" our midfield. It's not reactionary because of his goal yesterday, I've held him in high regard for a long while.

Fabinho is exactly what we needed in midfield since Mascherano left. He's not only a destroyer, he's a playmaker as well. Sure, Mascherano was arguably a better midfield destroyer than him. Alonso was definitely a better passer and playmaker, but he's got a little bit of both in him and he does those Momo Sissoko type tackles with his long legs.
The man can shoot and take penalties as well, so why not add a little Didi Hamann into the mix.

Sadly he's got Lucas level pace, haha.

Is it too far of a stretch to say that he's on his way to becoming our best DM ever?

I don't know if he has any doubters left, I know someone on here who tried to inject some doubt early on but let's just leave him nameless *wink*.

My favourite aspect of his game is his vision and passing. He doesn't hit too many "Hollywood" balls, but I like the fact the he's comfortable playing in a high tempo. He releases the ball quickly, always knows who's around him and isn't afraid to hold on to the ball or drive forward into space when needed. Many of our attacks start with him in midfield, because he has the ability to instantly turn attack into defense.

Maybe he's not the best DM we've ever had but imo, he's currently our most important midfielder.

Obligatory video (tip just mute the video, the music is annoying):

He's miles quicker and more mobile generally than fucking Lucas. There is no aspect of football in which he is not far superior to fucking Lucas.

Apart from maybe BBQs and Twitter.

 

[Modo]

He's miles quicker and more mobile generally than fucking Lucas. There is no aspect of football in which he is not far superior to fucking Lucas.

Apart from maybe BBQs and Twitter.

Fouling players?

 

[darkstarexodus]

I bet Fabinho grills a mean steak.

 

[doctor_mac]

His ability to dispossess the opposition in CM is probably only rivalled in this league by Kante, who is himself a truly remarkable player, and for obvious reasons is a bit more mobile in tight areas than Fabs. That being said, I wouldn't swap them. He just has so many strings to his bow. Apart from the excellent passing range testified to in the vid above, his height gives us something extra when defending and attacking set pieces, and I think we can expect to see him prospering in this area in the future to a greater degree. Time for a few more headed goals Fabs! Of course, whilst we've seen just how important he has been as a 6, we know that he can also help us out if we are facing a situation where we need cover at CB or FB too. That flexibility may become really important in what will be an arduous season. It goes without saying that he is now our first midfielder on the team sheet and frighteningly, I think he's going to get better and better.

 

[My_Blood_Bleeds_Red]

Fabs is everything and more what we (and Tim Vickery) hoped Lucas would ever be.

 

[manwithnoname]

Fabs is everything and more what we (and Tim Vickery) hoped Lucas would ever be.

Difference here is that Tim Vickery actually watched him play* before writing that now infamous article.

*Apparently. It's possible he was watching an entirely different player.

 

[hmmmmm1]

Is he the best? Id swap him for kante

 

[manwithnoname]

Is he the best? Id swap him for kante

I think it's a bit too early to make that kind of statement, maybe after this season? Kante has certainly given Fabinho the run-around a few times.

 

[tombrown]

Difference here is that Tim Vickery actually watched him play* before writing that now infamous article.

*Apparently. It's possible he was watching an entirely different player.

Maybe Tim went to watch Lucas in Brazil, but took the wrong turning and accidentally ended up at an Under 8s game, featuring Fabinho ...

 

[mwake]

Fabinho more or less replaced Emre Can and Alison replaced Karuis, if we had those two in the CL final against Madrid we would be talking No 7 already even with the Rude Ramos incident.

Faby is a proper DM, someone who is happy in his position without a secret desire to be anything else the fact that he has great ball-playing skills is a bonus. You can tell he loves a tack;e and isn't afraid of 1-1 situations. The only weakness that he does have is an occasional tendency to get sidestepped by tricky players but in recent weeks he seems to have fixed up and it happens less now.

 

[dmishra]

Fabinho more or less replaced Emre Can and Alison replaced Karuis, if we had those two in the CL final against Madrid we would be talking No 7 already even with the Rude Ramos incident.

Faby is a proper DM, someone who is happy in his position without a secret desire to be anything else the fact that he has great ball-playing skills is a bonus. You can tell he loves a tack;e and isn't afraid of 1-1 situations. The only weakness that he does have is an occasional tendency to get sidestepped by tricky players but in recent weeks he seems to have fixed up and it happens less now.

Fabinho is so good that I've actually forgotten Can used to play for us. And I quite liked Can.

 

[Modo]

Fabinho is so good that I've actually forgotten Can used to play for us. And I quite liked Can.

Emre Can is a managers nightmare tactically.

 

[Modo]

Fabinho more or less replaced Emre Can and Alison replaced Karuis, if we had those two in the CL final against Madrid we would be talking No 7 already even with the Rude Ramos incident.

Faby is a proper DM, someone who is happy in his position without a secret desire to be anything else the fact that he has great ball-playing skills is a bonus. You can tell he loves a tack;e and isn't afraid of 1-1 situations. The only weakness that he does have is an occasional tendency to get sidestepped by tricky players but in recent weeks he seems to have fixed up and it happens less now.

Don't forget Matip.

 

[Frogfish]

Emre Can is a managers nightmare tactically.

Hmm so the Can to United rumours could be true then ?

 

[Modo]

Hmm so the Can to United rumours could be true then ?

I almost hope so. They can then have the same headache figuring out where he's supposed to play.
I really liked Can, cause he really plays with passion on the pitch but in hindsight I'd say that it was a blessing in disguise that he left.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Don't forget Matip.

Lovren wasn't bad in the final - the loss had nothing to do with him.

 

[darkstarexodus]

I almost hope so. They can then have the same headache figuring out where he's supposed to play.
I really liked Can, cause he really plays with passion on the pitch but in hindsight I'd say that it was a blessing in disguise that he left.

He just doesnt seem to fit in anywhere in a team. Talented but what position or role does he play?

 

[Judge Jules]

I used to wonder if that was all his fault. Midfield players who are big units, like Can, sometimes get shoehorned into deeper-lying or even defensive roles which just don't suit them. Back in the day we even tried it with Jan Molby, who floated around back there like a f@rt in a bottle and whose constructive play (at which he was normally so good) was hamstrung as a result. My bet is that Can's managers trusted him consistently with a more attacking role you'd see the best of him.

 

[rurikbird]

I used to wonder if that was all his fault. Midfield players who are big units, like Can, sometimes get shoehorned into deeper-lying or even defensive roles which just don't suit them. Back in the day we even tried it with Jan Molby, who floated around back there like a f@rt in a bottle and whose constructive play (at which he was normally so good) was hamstrung as a result. My bet is that Can's managers trusted him consistently with a more attacking role you'd see the best of him.

Looks like Sarri is considering switching him back to the back 3.