Fabinho has launched a defence of his former midfield partner Tiemoue Bakoyoko.
The pair shot to fame in 2016/17, winning the title for AS Monaco in a fantastic central partnership that allowed the likes of Bernardo Silva, Kylian Mbappe, Thomas Lemar and Falcao ahead of them to play.
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As a result, Bakoyoko earned a big move to Chelsea in 2017, but he was horrible in the Premier League last term and was dumped on loan to Italy for this campaign by incoming manager Maurizio Sarri.
Fabinho though thinks Chelsea let go of Bakoyoko too soon…
‘I don’t think he struggled that much,’ Fabinho told Yahoo. ‘I watched a few games and he seemed always good to me.
‘Obviously, in your first season in a new club it’s always difficult and I wasn’t expecting him to leave, but AC Milan are getting a great player.
‘I’m sure he’ll be able to prove how good he is and show what he did at Monaco.
‘I’m sure if he comes back to England he will be stronger and will show everyone what he’s capable of.’
In fairness, Bakoyoko looked a much, much better player alongside Fabinho, whose naturally defensive instincts, combined with his unbelievable physical traits, helped create Monaco a fantastic midfield platform that season.
It actually shows just how good Fabinho is that Bakoyoko struggled so much without him.
Once the Brazilian gets into our side, we hope he benefits his fellow midfielders to the same extent. Naby Keita and Gini Wijnaldum either side could be a potentially devastating trio.