Fabio Silva is certainly a signing that Rangers fans can’t get behind, a player who arrives with a reputation and a quality that Philippe Clement will love to work with.
The Gers boss has been credited with being pivotal in the deal for the 21-year old, as has new director of recruitment Nils Koppen, with the first addition to the squad made before the transfer window has even opened.
Technical ability and flair are both desirable attributes but there is one other that Fabio Silva will bring to Rangers and one that is perfect for Philippe Clement’s philosophy.
Fabio Silva already has Rangers mentality
Whenever the manager is asked about individual players, he comes back to one overriding principle – that the team is what is most important.
Kieran Dowell, who has had to wait his turn, said recently about how the boss has dealt with the players who have been on the fringes of the squad:
“It’s important what the manager has said about having the guys part of it, even warming up, as you are part of the team.
“It’s something he’s been really good at. He has made a big thing about the squad being together. That’s really helped us during tough times, when it’s been a crisis if you like and we’ve had a few injuries.”
Fabio Silva arrives with a big price tag following his move from Porto to Wolves, however, when asked what he will bring to Rangers, it’s clear that he has been listening to Philippe Clement already:
“I like to play with a lot of energy, I like to run and to fight for the team. I like to score some goals, of course it is important, but I like to assist too, and the most important thing is the team.
“I am focused on helping the team to win titles, win games and put in good performances.”
It’s the one noticeable difference since Clement has arrived at the club – everything is about the team, not the individual.
There is a unity, an effort, an intensity that was missing before.
Players have been playing out of position or half fit as almost a full team sits in the stand injured and yet the results have still been impressive.
Todd Cantwell is a great example.
Even on an off day, he runs himself into the ground.
It is also a reason why he has still had the fans backing even through a relatively lean spell in terms of goals.
Fabio Silva has to replicate this and back up his words with performances on the pitch for Rangers, but if he brings the energy and commitment that he talks about, he’ll do just fine.
