The ‘incredible’ Fabio Silva is already making an impact at Anderlecht after leaving Premier League outfit Wolverhampton Wanderers for a loan spell in Belgium, former Rote Duivels ace Marc Degryse tells Het Laaste Nieuws.
How would Anderlecht go about replacing Joshua Zirkzee, last season’s 18-goal talisman?
Well, by securing yet another short-term loan deal for yet another of Europe’s most promising young number nines. Fabio Silva, since arriving from Wolves, has scored five times in six games already, including the sort of glancing header Raul Jimenez would have been proud of during Sunday’s 3-0 trouncing of Sint-Truiden.
“I never expected that he would ever come to Belgium,” says Degryse, who played 63 times for the national team in the 1980s and 1990s.
“Fabio Silva was not yet 18 years old when he suddenly came into the team at Wolverhampton due to an injury for Raul Jimenez. Far too early. But you immediately saw that he has incredible qualities.
“You already know that he will leave (Anderlecht) next summer. So, let’s enjoy him to the fullest.”
‘Incredible’ Fabio Silva showing what all the fuss is about
It is easy to forget that Fabio Silva is still only 20 years old. His struggles at Wolves are perhaps less to do with his own ability and more a reflection of the club’s mishandling of such a young player.
Silva already had sky-high expectations to deal with, after joining for an eye-watering £35 million.
The 18-year-old then found himself thrown immediately in at the deep end after Jimenez’s sickening injury against Arsenal in late-2020. At least, in Belgium, Silva is finally getting the chance to perform away from the glare of the microscope.
“Of all the strikers that Anderlecht has signed in recent seasons, Fabio Silva is the best finisher,” Degryse adds. “He can score in different ways. Even with the head, which far too few attackers can still do well. It has almost become a rarity.
“Fabio Silva breathes goals – he scores almost every game.”
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