Wolverhampton Wanderers fans have been giving their opinions about what kind of role Fabio Silva should have next season.
The 18-year-old was brought in last summer by the club for an eyebrow-raising £35.6 million according to BBC Sport.
That was despite having very little experience of first-team football at FC Porto.
So far, Silva has made 22 appearances for Wolves – which is perhaps more than Nuno Espirito Santo really expected to hand him.
Back in November, Raul Jimenez suffered a fractured skull against Arsenal and had to undergo surgery that night.
The Mexican hasn’t played since, and Silva has had to step up.
The £80,000-a-week starlet (Spotrac) has managed two goals so far, and it’s clear for all to see that he is still very raw.
At times it’s as though he is trying too hard, snatching at chances and perhaps taking too many touches.
But his movement is very good for one so young, but the ball doesn’t always go to him, which perhaps suggests a lack of trust at the moment from his older teammates.
He’s gotten a rough ride from some on social media, but there are lots of others who understand that Silva is a prospect who won’t necessarily deliver right now as he adjusts to a new culture.
On social media, fans have been discussing what they thing Silva’s role should be for next season following the arrival of Willian Jose (who is currently only on loan but could be bought permanently), and eventual return of Jimenez:
Back up. Needs to settle and coached ready to come in when needed
— Harry (@harryvenner) February 17, 2021
Back up, he’ll be a much improved player next season.
— Old Codger (Oscar) (@Oscarinblack) February 17, 2021
Keep as back up – and put him on Adamas diet!
— Burty184 (@Burty184) February 17, 2021
Have to keep him same as city did with foden
— Chad Tongue (@TongueChad) February 17, 2021
Loan to championship. It will be the making of him.
— Matthew David ◣ ◢ (@spena2k10) February 17, 2021
Loan him out to a championship team – get some experience playing uk footy – score some goals hopefully and build his confidence and strength. We must all remember how ineffective Adama was in his first season – he can still become a great signing we need to give him a chance
— Eldon Beinart (@ebeinart) February 17, 2021
Loan him out to a championship team I’d say give more experience I’m English football and let him try and prove himself might take him a year or 2 to try and get his feet being young, feel for the lad tbh thrown in the deep end to fast
— WolvesAyWe🐺 (@wanderers_lad) February 17, 2021
Loan out to a league one club. He needs to learn the English game. Feel for the kid but looks lost in the Premier.
— Matt Robinson (@robbo12121) February 18, 2021
Back up. Revert to the plan before Raul’s injury, introduce him slowly, maybe use him in U23 games, but let him train and develop with the first team
— Gavinder Pawar (@GavinderPawar) February 18, 2021
He was bought because of his potential so let’s loan him to a Championship Side and do some hard yards and toughen him up for the rigours of English football then bring hime back in January so he can gel back in with out squad 🤔
— Bal Sahota (@DingleBal) February 18, 2021
Most definitely keep him. We know it makes sense 🐺
— SPIREITEWOLF “The Wanderer”🐺⚽️ (@EdmundHarriso17) February 18, 2021