It’s been six years since Arsenal signed the next upcoming Brazilian ‘wonder kid’ that was Wellington Silva, but today we wave goodbye to the winger after six years and zero appearances for Arsenal.
Arsenal signed Wellington Silva back in 2010 and Arsene Wenger was keen to get started on developing the player into one of the best wingers around. Silva signed as a 16-year-old in a £3.5 million move and bearing in mind that the Gunners fought off competition from Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid for his signature, the interest surrounding our newly signed prospect was high. According to Le Prof at the time, Silva had the talent and ability to become a top class player and he was one of the highest rated youngsters of his generation. However six year down the line and we can safely say things didn’t exactly turn out like they were supposed to.
Silva was originally supposed to be granted a ‘special talent work permit’ by the FA so that the Brazilian could play in England straight away. The FA however backtracked on their initial intentions and we can now see that they were certainly right to make such a decision. Silva thus spent time out on loan in Spain until 2014, when he was granted a Spanish passport, thus granting access to play in England as a European citizen. Silva’s only competitive action in England didn’t come with Arsenal however, with the 23 year old once again going out on loan. In the 2015-16 season Silva managed to appear 22 times with Bolton scoring two goals, but quite simply he has never shown the potential that was expected of him.
Now Wellington Silva has confirmed he is on his way back to the club that he left six years ago for Arsenal, with Brazilian side Fluminense obtaining the winger’s signature. On his move home Silva stated: ‘I am very happy. I want to thank Fluminense for this opportunity after so long to go back, I’m eager to start. I am very anxious, really it is like the first time. My desire to return has always existed. When I learned that it was possible I was nervous for 10 days. I am very happy and I have no words to thank. Now I have to train and get on to the field as quickly as possible.’
All I can say quite frankly is good luck to Wellington Silva for the rest of his career and that its a shame that he never really lived up to his potential. Normally it would be right to think that we hope he won’t come back to bite us in the future, but given his little success in Europe, I doubt that we will hear about him any time soon.
By AH