“Dr Efficiency”: Carlos Vinícius enjoying best spell of his career after Fulham exit

Carlos Vinícius is enjoying one of the most prolific periods of his career since leaving Fulham, with the Brazilian striker rediscovering his goalscoring touch at Grêmio. The 30-year-old hit a hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Juventude last weekend, taking his tally to six goals in seven matches for the Porto Alegre side.

The performance has not gone unnoticed back in Europe. Tottenham Hotspur, where Vinícius spent the 2020/21 season on loan under José Mourinho, reacted playfully to his exploits with a message on their Portuguese social media account reading: “You’re welcome, Grêmio.”

Since returning to Brazil earlier this year, Vinícius has found form, confidence and rhythm. His blend of strength, movement and composure in front of goal has made him an instant favourite with supporters. Speaking after his hat-trick, he said that the positive atmosphere around the team has been key to his resurgence and that “everything starts to flow” when confidence is high.

Vinícius’s revival stands in stark contrast to his time in England. During his spell at Fulham, he managed eight goals across 49 Premier League appearances before his contract ended in 2024. At Tottenham, he scored ten times in 22 matches, including a memorable FA Cup hat-trick against Marine — a feat he has now repeated four years later for Grêmio.

Manager Mano Menezes has praised Vinícius’s influence on and off the pitch, describing him as “the face of Grêmio”. The coaching staff reportedly sensed “something special” about him when he joined in July, and his teammates have since rallied behind the forward, responding to his work ethic and professionalism.

Brazilian media have also taken notice. Globo Esporte analyst Maurício Saraiva labelled the in-form striker “Dr Efficiency”, highlighting his extraordinary conversion rate: four shots, three goals. Local outlets have credited him with bringing stability and sharpness to a Grêmio side fighting to climb the Série A table.

For a player who struggled to make a lasting mark in English football, Vinícius’s transformation is a testament to persistence and the importance of finding the right environment. His current form suggests that his story — and goals — are far from over.

Vinícius and Grêmio face América Mineiro in Série A action this weekend as they look to build momentum after back-to-back wins. With his finishing touch restored and confidence high, the former Fulham forward seems poised to continue rewriting the narrative of his career.