Fulham will remember Carlos Vinícius as a backup option. But his post-Craven Cottage revival has reached a level few in west London expected.
Since leaving the club in the summer, the Brazilian has become a transformative figure at Grêmio. Local analysis is comparing his impact to Luis Suárez’s 2023 season.
That comparison emerged in a detailed report from Trivela. They highlighted how his form has altered the team’s trajectory in the second half of the campaign.
Playing at Luis Suárez’s level since Fulham exit
According to the outlet, Vinícius has produced nine goals and one assist in 12 matches, averaging 0.75 goals per game. A rate superior to Suárez’s during his spell in Porto Alegre.
His total goal contribution stands at 0.83 per match, again close to the Uruguayan’s output. Those numbers explain why his signing has been described as the most decisive of Grêmio’s mid-season window… even ahead of the high-profile return of ex-Juventus and Barcelona midfielder Arthur.
A complete forward
His influence goes beyond goals, and he’s been praised for weeks now. Trivela point out how the 1.90m striker has reshaped Grêmio’s attacking structure. His movement, hold-up play and reading of space changed the club’s way of playing.
The presence of the signing from Fulham improves progression through the pitch, creates lanes for wingers and midfielders, and gives the manager a focal point. That aligns with the physical profile often associated with football in Rio Grande do Sul.
Despite his size, Vinícius has also shown mobility, drifting wide to combine with wingers and attacking the defensive line with diagonal runs. Several of his recent goals, including those in his hat-trick against local rivals Juventude, were scored like that.
Back from a slump
His form stands in stark contrast to the role he held at Fulham, where minutes were limited and consistency difficult to find. The Brazilian has since rebuilt confidence and rhythm, becoming one of the standout players of the league’s return stage.
We’ll see what this resurgence means for his long-term future. But the transformation since his summer departure from west London is undeniable.
