Wolves have had goalscoring issues for the past two seasons now – but Fabio Silva might just be the solution for Julen Lopetegui next season.
For one reason or another, Wanderers just have real trouble sticking the ball in the back of the net – despite having fantastic poor of attacking players.
Prior to his injury, Raul Jimenez was perhaps the best striker outside of the Big Six clubs. Arguably, he was one of the best all-round number nines in the Premier League.
What happened to him was a terrible shame, and he has not been able to return to the levels he was showing a few years go.
Willian Jose came in on loan, but really struggled.
In more recent times, Sasa Kalajzdic has come in but he suffered an ACL injury on his debut.
Diego Costa joined shortly after the Austrian but it’s clear he isn’t the player he used to be.
And Matheus Cunha could eventually come good. But the early signs are that he will not be a prolific number nine.
But it’s possible Wolves could have a genuine solution to the problem for next season.
This season, Fabio Silva has developed really well out on loan.
He started the season at Anderlecht, and scored 11 goals in 32 games.
Then in January, he completed a move to PSV. He’s had to be patient so far, but yesterday Silva notched his third goal for the club on his first start in the Eredivisie.
Just days earlier, he had scored and assisted in a 2-0 win over Sevilla in the Europa League.
Silva is obviously still very young and has many years of developing to do before he gets to his peak.
But at the moment, the signs are very encouraging.
Fabio Silva might be the solution for Wolves next season, his game has improved a lot out on loan
So it’s 14 goals in total so far this season for Silva in two leagues of a fairly decent standard.
Wolves officials will be delighted with how things have gone for him this season.
Silva’s game has already come on leaps and bounds since he left Molineux. His finishing has improved, as has aerial ability. His movement to make space in the box is also very impressive.
Silva had a tough first couple of years at Wolves.
It was very clear that he just wasn’t ready. He did come to club having barely played for FC Porto’s first-time. And his £36 million price tag – which he didn’t choose – must have weighed very heavy.
He just didn’t need thrusting in to the spotlight after the injury to Jimenez.
And he also didn’t need to be playing as little as he did in his second season.
We are now seeing him start to show his quality, and Lopetegui might just be looking to make him his main man next term if he continues on this trajectory.
Sporting director Matt Hobbs recently revealed the manager is watching Silva and does want him back for pre-season ahead of next term. So it’s a chance for him to impress from afar.