Fabio Carvalho’s loan spell at Hull City was a tale of two halves, as he experienced a disappointing stint at RB Leipzig followed by a remarkable resurgence with Hull. Under manager Liam Rosenior, Carvalho started 20 consecutive Championship matches and scored nine goals, showcasing his attacking ability and becoming a fan favorite.
Barry Cooper from the Hull Daily Mail praises Carvalho’s performances in the second half of the 2023/24 season. He describes Carvalho as brilliant, bringing a different dimension to Hull’s play with his quality, touch, and movement. Cooper believes Carvalho should have scored more goals, but attributes this to Rosenior’s decision to often play without a traditional striker, utilizing Carvalho as a false nine. Despite this, Carvalho proved to be a joy to watch and had the ability to take control of games.
In Rosenior’s setup, Carvalho played a pivotal role as a false nine. He would interchange positions with Ozan Tufan, either going further forward or dropping deeper. However, Hull City struggled to score enough goals as a team. Cooper suggests that had Liam Delap not suffered a knee injury before Carvalho’s arrival, their partnership could have blossomed, with Delap as the main striker and Carvalho playing behind him.
Carvalho’s strengths lie in his ability to create something out of tight spaces and his finishing skills. However, like all forwards, he occasionally missed chances. Cooper mentions a crucial penalty miss against Leicester City but acknowledges Carvalho’s character in bouncing back and scoring shortly after. Carvalho is considered a confidence player, and his form improved during his time at Hull City. It’s important to remember that he is still young, only 21 years old.
Off the pitch, Carvalho earned respect from his teammates for his hard work on the training pitch. He integrated well with the squad and formed strong bonds with players like Jean Michael Seri and Cyrus Christie. Despite being unable to play in an FA Cup replay, Carvalho traveled with the team to support them and even helped clean the dressing room before their journey back home.
Looking ahead to the future, Cooper believes Carvalho has the talent to play in the Premier League. While there is a possibility of him returning to Liverpool, it will depend on the club’s transfer activities. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Carvalho loaned out again, but Cooper emphasizes that a player of his caliber should be playing in the Premier League, even if it is not with Liverpool.
In conclusion, Carvalho’s loan spell at Hull City showcased his attacking prowess and allowed him to regain his confidence after a disappointing stint in Germany. He played a crucial role as a false nine under Liam Rosenior and formed strong bonds with his teammates. With his talent, Carvalho has the potential to play in the Premier League, and it remains to be seen where he will continue his footballing journey.