‘Silva will shine in my hands’
NUNO ESPIRITO SANTO believes he can turn Silva into gold.
Win or lose, the Wolves boss rarely looks emotional but the £35million club-record signing of Portuguese wonderkid Fabio Silva from Porto last week has captured his imagination.
Striker Silva, still just 18, had a £112m buy-out clause in his Porto contract – almost mirroring that which was triggered by Atletico Madrid when they bought another Portuguese sensation, Joao Felix, then aged 19, from Benfica last year.
Nuno (right) was reticent to compare the two – but has predicted a big future for the Molineux club’s superteen import.
Nuno said: “I cannot compare players – it’s a mistake to do that – because each player has his own individual characteristics.
“They are totally different.
“But what I can tell you is this: Fabio has talent. Pure talent.
“So we have to help develop this talent. At the same time we have to integrate him into the idea of our team.
“Then the organisation will allow us to develop him further. But it would be a mistake to compare him to anyone else because Fabio is unique.
“So we moved him inside with us, to see how the details we can give him can improve him.
“The room for improvement is evident, he is 18 years old.” Wolves only finished their mammoth 2019/20 campaign four weeks ago – their pre-season for it had started at the end of June last year.
Nuno admitted that it was draining but Silva’s arrival, along with fullback Marcal, 31, and attacking midfielder Vitinha, 20, from Porto on a season loan, has given him a lift.
Silva could even figure against Sheffield United tomorrow night.
Nuno said: “We are going to have to decide when to play him. He’s adapting fast to our rules. He is integrating int well, the way we operate a and socialise.
“After that, it depends on the player and the t time he needs.
“But one thing is fo for certain – in terms of quality and talent, Fabio has a lot.”
Nuno has enjoyed a stellar rise since arriving at Molineux in 2017. Promotion from the Championship was the first stage, followed by qualification for European football and then a run to the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
Nuno said: “I’m trying to improve – to be better in every moment and situation in the game.
“What we did before is now there. It’s written but it means nothing now.
This is a new season – a new challenge – we start on zero points.
“And it will be tough at Sheffield. Chris Wilder’s staff and players are an amazing team.
“I admire them as a club and people. Very tough.”