Gabriel Martinelli has hailed Liverpool’s Fabinho as being a player on the ‘top level.’
The Arsenal youngster was speaking to The Athletic as part of the “My Game In My Words” series.
Martinelli was asked about his experiences with the Brazilian national team. The 20-year-old name-checked Liverpool’s defensive midfielder as one of the players he was nervous to train alongside.
“To train with Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, Fabinho, Fernandinho, all these players who are on the top level. These are the guys who I have watched on television,” said Martinelli.
“I was nervous because I am a little bit shy but I am on the pitch to train and play; I express myself.”
We’d be nervous too. As an attacker trying to make an impression, it must be daunting to know you have to get the better of the best defensive midfielder in the world!
Overdue recognition
It’s great to hear how highly Fabinho is rated amongst his countrymen. It can sometimes feel like his extraordinary talents are overlooked on the international stage.
He played 90 minutes of their most recent game, a 4-0 win over Paraguay. But he tends to be left out in favour of Real Madrid’s Casemiro, or more perplexingly, Manchester United midfielder Fred.
Manager Tite has also used Fabinho as a makeshift right-back at times.
The 28-year-old has managed 23 caps for his country. However, many of these have come as a late substitute.
It isn’t enough for a player of Fabinho’s standing. Although Casemiro is undoubtedly as super player, how Fred has more caps than Liverpool’s number 3 is difficult to understand.
Impressing Jurgen
For his part, Martinelli looks to be a star in the making.
Jurgen Klopp certainly thinks so.
After the Arsenal man gave Liverpool defenders a difficult evening in the Carabao Cup Semi-Final last month, Klopp called him an ‘outstanding player’ via The Evening Standard.
This wasn’t the first time Klopp had been moved to comment on Martinelli, either. After The Reds drew 5-5 with Arsenal in the cup in October 2019, the manager called the player ‘a talent of the century’ via liverpoolfc.com.
It may be worth Fabinho having a word in the young man’s ear next time he sees him at training!
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