When Fabio Silva came to Rangers, the Wolves striker would’ve been hoping to catch the eye for his attacking talents.
The ex-Porto forward had been tipped to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo as a teenager but since a £35m move to Molineux in 2020 it hasn’t quite worked out that way.
Still only 21-years-old, there is plenty of time for the forward to make his mark on the beautiful game and Wolves still hold out major hope that he’ll do just that.
But over the last few weeks it’s been Fabio Silva’s theatrics at Rangers and not his contribution which has been making headlines.
Did Fabio Silva ‘dive’ v Hearts?
After his antics in the Old Firm derby a few weeks ago, Fabio Silva is once again attracting the wrong kind of attention.
As Cyriel Dessers bore down on the Hearts goal hunting a hattrick, he unselfishly squared the ball to the Portuguese forward who somehow contrived to belly-flop instead of shoot.
Replays show that the striker appeared to lose his footing under the ball, perhaps overshooting his run into the box, and there can be no arguments that he made a meal of it.
But the BBC Sport commentary team were particularly quick to suggest that Fabio Silva’s intentions were somewhat nefarious.
“What on Earth is he doing?” Alisdair Lamont asked. “It’s comical stuff from Fabio Silva, it was laid on a plate for him for him unselfishly by Dessers who was looking for a hattrick.”
Co-commentator James McFadden then added: “It does look like he’s diving there. He’s on the toes. I think he can sort his feet out. It’s not ideal for him but I have no idea what he’s trying to do there.”
Under-fire Rangers star’s card is marked
Philippe Clement himself claimed he’d spoken to Fabio Silva after the striker’s antics in the Old Firm derby draw with Celtic.
Whilst the forward did win a second half penalty for Rangers in the eventual 3-3 thriller, the Ibrox striker’s play-acting in the first half has heightened scrutiny.
After all, no-one is allowed to upset to those holier-than-thou Celtic supporters.
The penalty incident even drew the ire of Celtic after the game, the Parkhead side writing to the SFA to demand answers after an initial yellow card for simulation was overturned.
But whilst the playacting of the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi continues to go under the radar – the striker’s highlight reel for the Japanese diving squad certainly more comprehensive than Fabio Silva’s Portugal submission – you get the feeling the Rangers striker’s card has been marked.
If referees don’t judge moments more harshly as a result, then you can be rest-assured the usual suspects in the media will.
Evidenced by this situation against Hearts, where we’ll give Fabio Silva the benefit of the doubt, the forward is under increasing pressure.
There’s only one thing for it then.
It’s time for the £35m striker to start proving why Wolves paid the big bucks for his services and silence his Scottish footballing detractors by delivering on the park.
One ex-Rangers star has been out suggesting that Silva needs to do more in a furious rant aimed at the forward last week.
