RB Leipzig manager Domenico Tedesco has defended Andre Silva after being asked how he plans to handle the reported Arsenal transfer target after three ‘rather mediocre’ games.
The question arose during the Roten Bullen boss’ press conference on Friday, via Kicker, as Silva struggled in midweek. His Bundesliga outfit came from behind to draw with Atalanta in the Europa League on Thursday night. Yet only after an own goal by Davide Zappacosta.
Silva had spurned a chance to pull RB Leipzig level seconds early from the penalty spot. Juan Musso saved the Portuguese’s hit aimed at the top-right corner. He then denied Willi Orban at the rebound, but could not reach Zappacosta’s header from the resulting corner.
Silva has also failed to score in his last two Bundesliga appearances, which saw RB Leipzig draw 0-0 with Eintracht Frankfurt before thrashing Borussia Dortmund 4-1. Yet he has hit 15 and assisted eight over 41 games in all competitions since moving to Saxony last year.
RB Leipzig edged interest from Arsenal, per Duncan Castles, to secure Silva’s €23m (£19m) transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt in July. But the Gunners remain keen on the 26-year-old, with Calciomercato noting Mikel Arteta has rekindled his intrigue whilst targeting strikers.
RB Leipzig boss Tedesco defends Arsenal target Andre Silva after ‘mediocre’ slam
Silva’s haul of 15 goals so far this season includes hitting home against Bayern Munich and Manchester City. He struck away to Der FCB in February, but could not avoid a defeat. The 49-cap forward also netted to edge the Citizens 2-1 in the Champions League in December.
But disappointing against Frankfurt, Dortmund and Atalanta saw Silva branded ‘mediocre’. Yet Tedesco has no issues with the striker, as the RB Leipzig boss feels the Arsenal transfer target offers the Red Bull Arena side far more than just an ability to put the ball in the net.
“Andre is a top player who does really well,” Tedesco stated. “He has his qualities when he plays, but especially in the box. We don’t just measure him [through] the goals [he scores].
“Of course, if he takes the penalty yesterday [Thursday], a lot of things are easier – for him, too. But that’s no problem for him and for me.”
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