In the end, Wolves staved off relegation after Vitor Pereira instigated a brilliant turnaround – but one player who did experience that feeling is Fabio Silva.
Fabio Silva joined Las Palmas last summer on transfer deadline day, which was a somewhat surprising move.
Silva had previously admitted he never particularly wanted to join Wolves in the first place, and there had been suggestions that he was going to move on permanently.
Ultimately, Wolves didn’t receive any satisfactory offers, and the player headed out on loan to Las Palmas.
Molineux officials were hoping that he’d play regularly and score some goals with the hope of increasing his market value.
It’s been a fairly successful season on a personal note for Silva. But sadly, he could not help keep the club in the Spanish top-flight.
Fabio Silva issues classy and heartfelt statement after relegation with Las Palmas
Photo by Maciej Rogowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Photo by Maciej Rogowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
After beating Atletico Madrid 1-0 on April 19, Las Palmas then went on a run that has cost them their top-flight status.
They lost their next three in the league after that and on Tuesday, lost to Sevilla 1-0. Deportivo Alaves then beat Valencia yesterday, which confirmed Las Palmas’ relegation.
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Frustratingly for Las Palmas, Silva has actually not been able to feature in the last four games due to injury.
Had he been fit to play, perhaps the club would still be in with a fighting chance.
After relegation was confirmed, Silva took to Instagram to send a lengthy and heartfelt message to Las Palmas fans.
He said: “It’s hard to find the right words today. Sadly, it wasn’t the outcome we all wanted. We fought until the end, we believed and gave everything for this shield to achieve our goal. But football is sometimes unfair.
“I want to start by apologising to all the fans. I know what this club stands for, I know how much they have suffered with us, and I am deeply sorry that I have not managed to keep UD where it deserves to be. You guys deserved more. They were there always home, away, through good and bad times. Their support was unconditional, constant, heartfelt. And for that, thank you truly.
“Through it all, this was a year I smiled again. I’m happy again playing football. I lived beautiful moments, made great memories with my teammates, with a team that never stopped believing or fighting.
“Heartfelt thanks to the club and this wonderful island for welcoming me so well, for giving me this opportunity, for making me feel at home since day one. I am convinced that Las Palmas will return to the place where it really deserves to be. And from wherever I am, I will always be cheering.
“Thank you for everything @udlaspalmasoficial 💛💙”
A successful loan move for Silva and Wolves
It is a shame Las Palmas have been relegated, and who knows what might have happened had Silva been fit to play in recent weeks.
He’d scored 10 goals and had been in good form, so it’s possible he could have made a difference.
But Silva can be pleased with his efforts this season, and Molineux officials will be pretty pleased with how his stint has gone.
Fabio Silva for Las Palmas
Appearances – 25
Minutes played – 1954
Goals – 10
Assists – 3
It’s been reported Silva will leave Wolves permanently this summer – it’s just a case of where he goes now.
Playing in Spain has clearly left a lasting impression on him, so one wonders if Silva might fancy a move to Atletico Madrid, who are one of the clubs interested.
The good news for Wolves is that many other teams are interested following his productive campaign.
So Wolves may not end up taking as big a hit on the player as they might have thought.