Without question, one of the biggest positives of Wolves’ 3-0 FA Cup win over Sheffield United was the performance of Fabio Silva.
The teenage striker has struggled for minutes this season.
Raul Jimenez has played the bulk of the games for Wolves after recovering from the skull fracture he suffered last season.
Bruno Lage loves the Mexican, and there is no doubt he is the main striker at Molineux
But just recently, the 30-year-old hasn’t quite been at the races.
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Jimenez hasn’t scored since he hit the winner in the 1-0 win over West Ham United on November 20.
He has made six league appearances since then, and hasn’t found the net.
While Wolves have been going well as a collective, Jimenez hasn’t quite had the same impact he was having after he got his first goal of the season away at Southampton.
He was at his best in the weeks that followed. He was among the nominees for the October and November Player of the Month awards.
But just lately there has been a slight dip.
One wonders, therefore, if it might be time for young Silva to finally get a proper chance in the Premier League.
He hasn’t started a Premier League game all season. But his FA Cup display against Sheffield United may show he is now ready.
Will Bruno Lage boldly replace Raul Jimenez with Fabio Silva against Southampton?
Jimenez has played a lot of football this season, and maybe it’s time he had a rest. Even if just for one or two games.
Silva will be champing at the bit to start against Southampton after his display against Sheffield United.
He was magnificent at Molineux linking up with Daniel Podence, and deserved to score. He was also really good when he came on against Manchester United.
Lage has stated that Silva is now a different player to the one from a few months ago. He called him ‘a talented kid’, and has also suggested the 19-year-old is in line for more minutes.
Maybe this is a good chance for him. Southampton are actually playing tonight against Brentford in a rearranged fixture. So Silva might fancy his chances against some potentially tired legs on Saturday.