Bruno Lage reveals areas he feels Fabio Silva has improved the most, makes strong Chiquinho admission

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Bruno Lage was full of praise for young striker Fabio Silva following the 2-1 victory over Aston Villa and identified the area of his game he has improved on the most since his first day in charge.

Despite not finding the score-sheet in the derby win, Silva put in a man-of-the-match display and was given a standing ovation from all four sides of Molineux when he was replaced by Chiquinho in stoppage time.

It was hard to believe that it was a performance of a 19-year-old that had struggled for first team minutes this season and Lage was quick to praise him following the game.

“Very good,” he said when discussing the teenager’s display.

“It wasn’t just the offensive work but also the defensive work.

“I don’t remember a game, especially with me that Fabio win a lot of duels and body contact so that’s the thing, every time, the chance a prove the work he’s doing during the week.

“One more time, I think Fabio deserves to play a little bit more, I’m not the first guy to say that but also I think he’s been a bit of a victim of what happened in the 30 games.

“When I look back, most of the time, especially maybe the third substitution, I need to hold on a little bit because in 30 games already I’ve already made 18 subs on my right-back, on my left-back.

“But now he’s growing up and he needs to understand that this is football and everytime it is about manager decisions and the only thing he can control is the way he works during the week.”

“When you look at the first game he starts against Tottenham in the League Cup and what he did today, it’s a massive difference,” he added.

“I’m very happy because he did a good performance and now he knows.”

That ‘massive difference’ that Lage talked about was clear to see from everyone inside Molineux. His overall performance from hold up play to running the channels to decision making was so much better than what we saw in the cup game earlier in the campaign.

But the manager picked out one area he believes the 19-year-old has truly flourished in and when commenting on it, also found time to praise January signing Chiquinho who he sees as a perfect example of what he wants to see from a player.

“I think one of the things it was what he did today - especially with the body contact - how many duels he won against these top players,” Lage explained in regards to Silva’s improvement.

“It’s not about if sometimes, I think in the first half, Daniel [Podence] or Jonny tried to win aerial balls against [Tyrone] Mings. I need to see Fabio - he has the same body as me but he needs to go there and try and be a nuisance. It’s about the mentality and show every time I want it.

“The thing is, Chiquinho, sometimes he plays five minutes but every time he goes inside, he goes with everything to try and win the duels and everyone needs to do that.

“This competition, the level of competition is very high and every chance is a chance to prove something.”

Silva will have another chance to impress on Friday evening when Wolves travel North East to take on Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United.

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