Analysis: Kevin's dribbling skills can torment Brentford

Football writer Adrian Clarke identifies the key players, team tactics and where matches could be won and lost in Matchweek 5.

Player analysis: Kevin

Fulham supporters finally got to see their first debutant of 2025/26 in Saturday’s last gasp win at home to Leeds United, and it is safe to say record-signing Kevin did not disappoint.

The young Brazilian could now make his first Premier League start against Brentford in Matchweek 5, after wowing fans at Craven Cottage with an exhilarating 20-minute cameo.

How did Kevin catch the eye last weekend?

An out-of-sorts Fulham had only mustered two shots up until Kevin’s 76th minute introduction, but they ended the game with six attempts, including a match-winning goal.

The 22-year-old could not have been more positive down the Cottagers’ left.

Watch: Kevin's PL debut v Leeds

His first involvement was to drive down the wing before flicking a pass inside to Emile Smith Rowe, but that was a mild precursor for what was to come.

The next time he had possession, Kevin ran at the defence, dizzying defenders with a stream of stepovers, before clipping a clever near post cross into the box,

His ball was flicked on to create a chance for Sasa Lukic.

Shortly afterwards the young Brazilian raced down the wing again before picking out Adama Traore’s head with an outrageous outside-of-the-foot cross that was headed just over.

It was a moment of high technical quality, as well as showmanship.

Kevin then showed he can use his left foot too, outpacing the speedy Daniel James right by the touchline.

While Kevin’s cross did not find a team-mate, it showed he is not afraid to go on the outside.

Kevin’s brightest and best moment came in the 93rd minute though, when he played a neat 1-2 with Ryan Sessegnon on the corner of the Leeds penalty area.

From there, Kevin unleashed a fierce right-footed curler that was brilliantly tipped over by Karl Darlow.

From the resulting corner, Fulham scored the only goal after Gabriel Gudmundsson headed into his own net.

Who is Kevin?

The Cottagers paid a reported fee of £34.6million to bring Kevin in from Shakhtar Donetsk on the final day of the summer transfer window.

In 57 appearances for the Ukraine side in all competitions, he recorded 17 goals and nine assists.

His performances during the 2024/25 campaign also helped him to be named their Player of the Year.

Kevin began his career with third tier Sao Paolo state side Desportivo Brasil, but thanks to some eye-catching displays as an 18-year-old, Brazilian giants Palmeiras quickly swooped to sign him in December 2021.

After spending two years developing with Palmeiras, he signed for Shakhtar in January 2024.

This rapid progress understandably caught the attention of Marco Silva, who must have been thrilled with how confident Kevin looked on his top-flight debut.

What do they say about Kevin?

Croatian legend Dario Srna is the sporting director for Shakhtar Donetsk, and the man who negotiated Kevin’s transfer to Fulham.

On completion of that deal he said, "Fulham have an amazing winger, he has amazing skills, is so fast, good one-versus-one, he even defends well.

"With Marco Silva, for me one of the best coaches in the Premier League, he will continue to develop for sure.

“I believe Kevin will move to one of the biggest clubs within the next two years.

"We had a lot offers for him and he could have gone elsewhere but he decided Fulham was best for him. It was his dream to play in the Premier League.”

After watching Kevin’s cameo inspire his side to a vital win, Silva was also effusive in his praise of the Brazilian.

“Kevin made a massive impact in the way we were playing. He was one of the main targets for the position and we are pleased to have him with us.

“He is young but even if he wasn’t playing in one of the best five leagues in Europe, he has already Champions League games, already Europa League games and you know it gives him the maturity.

“He just needs time to settle because he arrived on the last day of the market.

“Definitely he is going to be a player that can help us and add something different to our team.

“I already told him the people will start to kick him in the right way, and he has to adapt, but it’s good when fans create a straight connection with the new signings.”

Brentford must be wary

Brentford head coach Keith Andrews will have done his homework on Kevin, but like any new player to the Premier League, it may take opponents a little while to fully calculate his strengths and weaknesses.

Michael Kayode or Aaron Hickey will start at right-back, and neither will relish trying to contain the nippy winger, whether he starts or comes off the bench again.

Kevin’s dribbling will be their chief concern.

During that short spell against Leeds, he carried the ball a progressive distance of 53.4m, which was mightily impressive.

Inside 20 minutes that is further than Harry Wilson, Rodrigo Muniz, Raul Jimenez and Timothy Castagne have all managed, despite each of them featuring for between 122 and 238 minutes this season.

Kevin's ball carries v Leeds 25/26

Kevin has laid down an early marker, that has showcased his talent.

The challenge for him now is to maintain consistently high standards, but he looks to be a remarkably exciting player in the making.

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