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View: What went wrong for Fabio Silva at Wolves?
It has been reported by The Athletic that Anderlecht have made a loan offer for Wolves striker Fabio Silva, with the 19-year-old looking likely to depart Molineux this summer.
Silva joined Wolves for a club-record fee of £35million two years ago but has struggled to adapt to the Premier League.
Silva actually had a good maiden season for Wolves, scoring four goals and notching three assists, however, he failed to make one single attacking contribution in the 2021/22 season.
So what has gone wrong for the 19-year-old?
No goals or assists is hardly an ideal statistic for the striker and it is probably a big part of the reason he is likely to be shipped out on loan.
The sad reality for Silva is that if he lived up to his underlying statistics then he would actually be a decent option for Wolves.
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Let’s start with the positives.
First of all, as per Wyscout Silva averages 4.35 touches in the opponent’s penalty area per 90 minutes, which is actually a decent amount for the Portuguese youngster.
He is clearly keen to make himself an option, particularly in the box.
Furthermore, the 19-year-old wasn’t afraid to take a player on with 3.58 dribbles per 90 minutes.
His XG per 90 of 0.37 isn’t awful, meaning he should be averaging a goal every three games based on the chances he has.
However, it is clear where the striker lets himself down.
Silva clearly puts himself in good positions but seriously lacks the quality needed to be a clinical striker.
27% shot accuracy isn’t the best and a 12% cross accuracy is woeful.
Furthermore, it is clear to see the 19-year-old couldn’t adapt to the Physicality of the Premier League.
Silva won 37% of his duels and 30% of his aerial duels and only won 29% of loose balls.
His poor ability to challenge for the ball or retain the ball is clear in these statistics.
It is important to remember that Silva is 19 and still has plenty of years ahead of him and a loan move will do him the world of good should it materialise.
Furthermore, his Premier League experience, at such a young age will do him good.
Silva is a player that clearly has an understanding of where he should be on the pitch and good technical ability, but sadly failed to adjust to the Premier League’s physicality
Silva is contracted to Wolves until 2025, so there is a good chance he will be given another Molineux opportunity in the future.
In other Wolves news, Crystal Palace are hopeful of signing midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White.