Fabio Silva might want a longer-term move to Rangers.
Heck, the Portuguese U21 international might even bend Wolves’ arm to allow him to spend another season in Glasgow.
But whilst Silva has claimed that he is going to do “everything” to stay at Ibrox, the forward’s form has raised major doubts over a summer move amongst Rangers fans.
So much so that there’s a sentiment that Rangers would be absolutely bonkers to finance a deal for the profligate striker who quite simply doesn’t contribute enough in front of goal.
In another damning indictment of what has been a square, ineffective contribution to Rangers, Fabio Silva stands accused of a lack of attacking responsibility in the defeat to Ross County.
What’s more, the £35m striker is on trial amongst Rangers fans as something of an attacking fraud and the jury is very much leaning towards a guilty verdict.
The player’s Scottish Premiership stats stand as damning evidence.
Fabio Silva blowing Rangers opportunity
When the teamsheet came out for Rangers in their clash against Ross County, the addition of Fabio Silva did raise a few eyebrows.
Welsh winger Rabbi Matondo had come off the bench to net two screamers back to back and there was a sentiment that he’d earned a starting berth over the stuttering Portuguese.
But once again we were massively wasteful in front of goal and between Fabio Silva and Cyriel Dessers, Rangers have a pair of forwards who wouldn’t look out of place in nether regions of the EFL.
Abdallah Sima – who was making his first start after a lengthy injury lay-off – gets a bye given his contribution over the campaign.
It’s really quite simple.
When you have to start making excuses for forwards because they don’t score goals then you know there’s an issue.
We’ve been doing it for these guys since they started wearing our colours.
Philippe Clement has to sort out wasteful frontline
It’s not just one player for Rangers, it’s several, with Fabio Silva and Cyriel Dessers very much the two forwards who can either start putting the ball into the back of the net or forget it at Ibrox.
If Rangers’ forward line isn’t producing enough numbers in front of goal then there is a genuine problem and Philippe Clement faces a big judgement call in the weeks ahead.
If Rangers are to give Fabio Silva the nod at the top end of the park then it represents a massive risk to the Scottish Premiership’s outcome.
The Portuguese forward just does not contribute enough in the final third to justify taking that left-wing position over Rabbi Matondo or Abdallah Sima.
But beyond that, if Clement seriously wants Fabio Silva to form part of his frontline for next season, then on the Belgian’s head so be it.
Forget these soundbites about forwards not needing to score goals.
Rangers’ season has been defined by wastefulness and if it doesn’t change heading into the next campaign, then Clement won’t be around for long either.
