Silva injury stirs debate: BVB boss Kovac sets the record straight | OneFootball

Niko Kovac has spoken in detail for the first time about the injury to BVB's new signing Fábio Silva. The coach is tempering expectations while simultaneously defending the multi-million transfer.

Borussia Dortmund's new signing Fábio Silva continues to wait for his debut in the black and yellow jersey. The 23-year-old Portuguese was operated on in the summer due to persistent adductor problems and has since been working on his comeback. When he will be fit for action again remains uncertain.

Coach Niko Kovac spoke in more detail about the situation ahead of the match against 1. FC Heidenheim. With a small smile, he began at the press conference: "I forgot about Fabio Silva. But he is still in the medical department…”

The discussions about the transfer have recently become louder, as BVB apparently only found out about the operation during the medical check. However, Kovac deflected: "I don't know where it comes from that he was signed injured. He had surgery, yes, we all know that now, but there are surgeries where you can see that things will quickly move on. Therefore, we were fully aware that the boy will be back as soon as possible."

Kovac defends transfer of BVB's new signing Silva

The coach did not want to give a fixed timetable for the return: "We are trying to increase things little by little. He is making progress, but we must not be too bold. We will not make any mistakes." At the same time, Kovac made it clear: "As soon as possible, that's what I want as a coach. But as long as the medical department does not give the green light, there will be no attempts from me to push anyone."

Despite the setback, the 53-year-old is convinced of the signing: "We sign a player because of his abilities. That's what you invest in the player. He is a young Portuguese national player and that is certainly an accolade."

Silva, for whom BVB paid 22.5 million euros to Wolverhampton Wanderers, signed a contract until 2030. Niko Kovac is sure that the striker will help Dortmund in the long term: "He is now absent for a few days or one or two weeks, but he will get his minutes and we will all be very satisfied with him."

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.