Fabio Silva backed by Dortmund coach Niko Kovač amid uncertain future
Niko Kovač has publicly backed striker Fabio Silva, suggesting the Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee has a future at Borussia Dortmund. The Portuguese forward, who joined on loan in January, has been given a strong vote of confidence by his head coach despite a slow start in Germany.
Kovač, speaking at a press conference, directly addressed Silva's situation and recent progress. "He's made a good start here at BVB with a win. We're in regular contact. We're trying to find very good solutions, and he's working hard on it," the Dortmund coach said. He acknowledged the 21-year-old's initial struggles, stating, "Of course, he hasn't scored that many goals yet, but that's due to the number of minutes he's played."
The Croatian manager emphasized Silva's development, noting a significant upturn in the player's application and form. "For the past three or four weeks, I've seen a Fabio in training who has really stepped up his game," Kovač explained. He attributed the striker's earlier struggles to a lack of confidence and physical adaptation, issues he believes are now being overcome. The coach confirmed Silva is now earning more playing time as a direct result of his progress in training.
Silva's loan move to the Westfalenstadion in January was seen as a chance to reignite a career that had stalled at Wolves and during a brief, unsuccessful loan at Rangers. With only one goal in 12 league appearances for Dortmund so far, his output has been modest. However, Kovač's public backing and detailed explanation of Silva's integration suggest the club sees a future for him at the club. The coach specifically linked increased playing time to a greater chance of scoring, indicating a clear path forward for the young forward.
This public show of faith comes amid reports that the club may be more open to offers for other forwards, with Serhou Guirassy's name frequently mentioned as a potential summer departure. Silva's recent performances in training appear to have convinced Kovač that he can be a valuable asset, potentially altering the club's transfer strategy. The manager's comments suggest Silva will be given a significant role in the squad's plans for the upcoming season, assuming his loan is made permanent or a new loan is agreed upon, providing the 21-year-old with a crucial platform to prove his long-term worth.
