---
title: "Wolves: Noel Whelan criticises Fabio Silva ahead of proposed loan exit"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wolves-fabio-silva-transfer-gossip-news/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Daniel Clubbe"
section: "Premier League News"
published: "2022-07-10T11:45:40Z"
modified: "2022-07-10T11:45:40Z"
---

# Wolves: Noel Whelan criticises Fabio Silva ahead of proposed loan exit

**Former [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) striker Noel Whelan has labelled [Wolverhampton Wanderers](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wolves-news/) youngster Fabio Silva a “bad signing” ahead of a mooted loan departure from Molineux.**

### The lowdown: Top prospect

Signed for a then club-record £35.6m from FC Porto ([BBC](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54043470)), Silva arrived in the Black Country boasting an impressive rising stock following a [rapid progression](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fabio-silva/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/505653) through the youth ranks in his homeland.

However, the 19-year-old has struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League and has only managed [four goals](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fabio-silva/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/505653/verein/543) in 62 appearances for the Old Gold, failing to find the net during the [entire](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fabio-silva/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/505653/plus/0?saison=2021&verein=543&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=) 2021/22 campaign.

That distinct lack of form has led Wolves to allow Silva to move [on loan](https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2022/07/08/fabio-silva-to-sign-one-year-wolves-contract-extension-ahead-of-loan-move/) to Anderlecht, a prospective departure which has been welcomed by at least one pundit…

### The latest: ‘Bad signing’

Speaking to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/fabio-silva-may-have-played-last-wolves-game-as-new-details-emerge-pundit/), ex-Leeds striker and former [BBC Radio](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04srs1v) show host Whelan has lamented the Portugal youth international’s spell at Molineux.

He said: “Sometimes when you pay big money for a player it works, sometimes it doesn’t. This was probably a bad signing.

“It hasn’t worked out – hence why they’re trying to get rid. Some players just find the Premier League very difficult or struggle with moving to another country.

“I think Wolves are doing the right thing by offloading him.”

\[freshpress-quiz id=”398117″\]

### The verdict: Still time to turn it around

Signed as a mercurial talent with an eye on the future, it’s too soon to completely dismiss the possibility of Silva returning to the Midlands and becoming a success for Wolves.

Once lauded by club captain Conor Coady for a [‘fantastic’](https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/mens-first-team/20220424-coady-on-a-missed-opportunity/) display in a 1-0 defeat to Burnley, the [Portugal under-21](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fabio-silva/nationalmannschaft/spieler/505653/verein_id/16374) starlet – who shares similar stylistic traits with the likes of Alexandre Lacazette, Ollie Watkins and Andrea Belotti ([FBRef](https://fbref.com/en/players/e7aa9d7c/Fabio-Silva)) – has already proven to be a [capable performer](https://www.premierleague.com/players/66670/F%C3%A1bio-Silva/stats) in the Premier League, although consistency has been a major issue.

\[freshpress-poll id=”402584″\]

With Silva expected to sign a [new deal](https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2022/07/08/fabio-silva-to-sign-one-year-wolves-contract-extension-ahead-of-loan-move/) with Wolves upon completing a temporary exit, Bruno Lage and Jeff Shi evidently see a pathway for him at Molineux.

After [signing](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60141279) Hwang Hee-chan on a permanent basis, allowing the Portuguese youngster to get regular first-team action under his belt elsewhere, and enabling him to enjoy a fresh start, is a smart move.