Some Wolverhampton Wanderers fans have been reacting to comments made by former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp about Fabio Silva.
The ex- Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth manager appeared on Soccer Saturday yesterday as a pundit to give his opinion on Wolves amongst other clubs and situations.
Amid the club’s issues with goalscoring, talk turned to 18-year-old Silva and his struggles adapting to English football.
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It seems Redknapp is far from convinced by the Portuguese youngster at the moment.
He told Jeff Stelling: “He’s a kid, he looks well short at the moment. Well, well short.”
Redknapp then expressed his disappointment about Wolves’ performance against Southampton in the FA Cup and the fact they only had one shot on target, describing it as ‘beyond belief’.
Silva started that game and, like against Leicester City last weekend, had a great opportunity to score but failed to hit the target with a second-half header.
The former FC Porto man has had it tough in 2020/21, and almost seems to be trying to hard at times.
He arrived after the club had paid a huge transfer fee, and it seems like it is weighing heavily on his shoulders.
There have been glimpses of his talent, and his movement often looks very good, but at the moment there is no ruthlessness or physicality.
On social media, some Wolves fans did actually come to the defence of Silva following Redknapp’s take:
Without the Jimenez injury we wouldn’t be asking an 18 year old to be leading the line in such a tough league, and he wouldn’t be getting this negative pressure and attention.
Judge him in 2 years.
— Jeff Oakley (@jeff_oakley1990) February 13, 2021
Better goals per minute ratio than Werner, Batshauyi, Iheanacho, Origi, Wood, Joelinton off the top of my head, all either cost more or way more experienced, Fabio Silva massively scapegoated after being dropped in the deep end when expected to be eased into it, joke tbh
— Greeny (@GreenyWWFC) February 13, 2021
He had been wrote off before his career has even started i suppose it’s easy for pundits to jump on a young lads back who cost a lot of money when there are more experienced pros who aren’t performing either
— Jack barker (@Jackbar83877495) February 13, 2021
Easy to be critical of an 18 year old but the kids really talented. He wasn’t bought to start yet. He’s a finish away from being a great player.
FYI Wolves scouted the kid for 3 years. You don’t do that for a guy you buy because his agent asked.
— JL (@Ste_jl) February 13, 2021
Nothing like having a dig at an 18 year old boy, eh, Harry?!!! By the way, his agent is STV not Gestifute 🙄
— Wolf-Stitcher 💙🐺🧡🖤❌ (@kmenzies29) February 13, 2021
Let’s put abit of perspective on this….. Fabio is constantly in the spotlight for his pricetag. Yet £40m Joelinton, £24m Brewster are barely mentioned. Greenwood’s name is constantly brandished round as one of the best youngsters in the PL yet only has 1 goal,mcBurnie £20m 🤷🏼♀️ pic.twitter.com/YDplITMCuc
— Jo Gough 🐺🐺 (@Goughy_WWFC) February 13, 2021
What does Redknapp know? Wolves have been unlucky this season – agreeably poor of late, but their performances have been better than their points tally. On Fabio Silva – he’s 18 and already showing positive signs in the best league in the world. Judge him in three years time
— WheelerDealer (@WheelerDealer67) February 13, 2021
The criticism this lad gets is a joke and now even from pundits. 18 years old, away from his home country and family during a pandemic and thrown in at the deep end. Yet hes been unlucky with a few chances including this amazing save that they chose to use against him here https://t.co/NfsZdciNpr
— Todd Jhutty – Brown (@jhuttyb7) February 13, 2021
Absolute nonsense. Fabio Silva’s talent is clear to see. Just needs time. Harry Redknapp has a cheek making insinuations of dodgy dealings… https://t.co/AX2SviPAUv
— GladonBaltiKing©️ (@GladonK) February 13, 2021