Frank Leboeuf thinks it’s ‘stupid’ that a player like Fabinho could be moving to Saudi Arabia and he is equally ‘sad’ that the midfielder could be leaving Liverpool.
Saudi Arabia aren’t going anywhere and they are serious about building their own footballing brand, with players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante already on board.
This just isn’t a case about signing ageing players because players at their peak, such as Ruben Neves, have also been snapped up and 29-year-old Fabinho could join suit from Liverpool.
But former World Cup winner Leboeuf doesn’t like the idea of a player ‘under 30’ deciding to leave Europe’s best leagues for Saudi Arabia, as he told ESPN.
Of course, Fabinho fits into that category, but his teammate, Jordan Henderson, who turned 33 in June, doesn’t and he could also be on his way out.
Whilst the Englishman is still training with Liverpool, Fabinho has been left out of their recent training camp, which suggests he will leave this summer and Leboeuf thinks it’s a mistake.
“I understand, if you are over 30 or you are 32 or 33, you are Jordan Henderson or you are some others like Ronaldo and Koulibaly, then going there it’s only fair if you want to get some money and put your family safe,” said Leboeuf.
“If I see players below 30, sorry, but I would say it’s stupid because they have some years to give to the best leagues in the world and they shouldn’t go there.
“I want to say that I am sad. I remember when he was at the top. He was one of the main players. Liverpool became so successful because it’s due to players like him, who came to the Premier League and showed their talent. Fabinho was one of them.
“When he was in the middle of the park with Henderson together. They were absolutely fantastic. Perhaps two of the best defensive midfielders in the world.”
Who will replace Fabinho?
Even if Fabinho’s form went out of the window last season, it still doesn’t hide the fact that he is an important player to Jurgen Klopp.
If he does leave, then a big-name and proven replacement needs to come in. Yes, Romeo Lavia has been mentioned, perhaps the young Southampton star coming in with the current crop works, but not if the experienced duo leave.
Either way, these next few weeks, heading into the opening game of the new Premier League season, could be huge in how things pan out for the club next season because a number of big changes could yet be made.
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