Fulham attacker Fabio Carvalho has been chosen as the EFL’s Young Player of the Month for August.
The 19-year-old has enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign, chalking up three goals in five games across the course of the month, quickly cementing his place in the Cottagers team and establishing himself as a cornerstone to Fulham’s promotion bid.
And although the winger has been recognised for his individual qualities, Carvalho reaffirmed his focus is firmly on the Cottagers’ collective goal to bounce back to the top-flight, after suffering relegation from the Premier League last season.
“It feels good to be recognised not just by Fulham but the whole League,” he said. “It’s been an amazing start for me individually and the team which is the most important thing, and we’ll just look to keep going and keep striving to progress.
“My aim is to perform well this season and help Fulham get promoted which is what we collectively aspire to do. On an individual basis, try to win as many awards as I can, score goals and help the team with my performances.”
Carvalho, who progressed through the ranks at Craven Cottage and inked his first professional deal with the Championship Club in May 2020, has represented England at Under-16s, Under-17s and most recently, Under-18s level.
Away from the international stage, the starlet has set the EFL alight and he is thoroughly enjoying Fulham’s unbeaten start to the season in August.
The Cottagers recorded four wins on the bounce, kicking off the 2021/22 season with a 1-1 stalemate with Middlesbrough and rounding off the month on a high with an emphatic 3-0 triumph over Stoke City.
“I’m loving it, I feel like - not just now but in general with my football - I have to play with a smile on my face because that’s when my best football comes out,” he continued. “To be able to do something at a high level you have to be able to enjoy it as well and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
“Throughout my career I’ve always made a step higher than where I should be for my age group which has felt natural and I’ve had to be able to adapt to keep performing.”
High flying Fulham appointed Marco Silva – who claimed the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month for August – as the Cottagers’ head coach ahead of the current campaign, and Carvalho praised the boss for the role he played in the youngster’s development.
“My transition to the first team has been made easier with the help and support of my team-mates. The players, manager and staff have always been helping me,” Carvalho added.
“Hopefully this is just the start. I always tell myself that this is just the beginning of what’s to come and I can always improve and I can always get better and I’ll be working hard to achieve more for the team and individually as well.
“I’m looking forward to keeping helping the team through my performances and hopefully we’ll get more wins and go on to achieve big things.”