Middlesbrough recruited in the Australian market in the summer transfer window last summer.
Michael Carrick lost top-scorer Chuba Akpom to Ajax last year and had to find a way to replace the 28-goal ace.
Boro brought in three forwards; Emmanuel Latte Lath, Morgan Rogers and Sam Silvera, in a bid to strengthen their attacking ranks.
Latte Lath, the £4.2m addition from Serie A outfit Atalanta, has managed a respectable goal tally of seven.
Rogers, the 20-year-old arrival from Manchester City, exceeded expectations and departed the club in Janaury, joining Aston Villa in a reported £15m deal.
Whilst Silvera, who joined the club from Australian side Central Coast Mariners, has shown glimpses of his raw talent and Carrick believes the ‘dangerous’ 23-year-old has a bright future ahead of him.
Michael Carrick ‘excited’ by Sam Silvera
Silvera joined as a relative unknown last summer and many expected the wide player to be eased into English football.
Though, it hasn’t quite panned out like that as he has made 35 appearances across all competitions, playing a pivotal role in Carrick’s side.
The jet-heeled left winger has netted six goals this term whilst laying on three assists, which is a commendable tally given it’s his debut season.
Carrick detailed his excitement about the promising wide player: “I’m excited by Sammy. It was a huge step for him to come over in the summer. The intensity in this league in comparison to what he’s been used to, it is a big change. But he’s dealt with it really well.
“He’s got huge talent and he’s a really dangerous player. He’s shown that in glimpses so far. He now wants more football, and he should do. I’m really excited to see what he can do between now and the end of the season. He always seems to find a way.
“He’s got moments in him, he’s dangerous, he’s sharp and he knows where the goal is. He’s improving all the time in what is a big learning season for him.
He’ll admit that himself. It was a big factor for him this season, adapting, and I think he’s showing really good signs. I’m really excited to see what he’s going to be capable of doing the rest of this season and beyond.”
Sam Silvera’s impressive Middlesbrough stats
Silvera has clearly has a lot of raw talent and once polished under the stewardship of Carrick, he could become one of the best wingers in the division.
A look at his stats and it’s clear to see he is already on the path to achieving that notion, which is encouraging for Middlesbrough‘s promotion hopes.
The Australia international ranks among the top six per cent for shots per 90 minutes compared to his positional peers across the continent, as per FBref.
Further, he is in the top nine per cent for non-penalty xG and 13 per cent for progressive carries, evincing how dangerous he can be for the Riverside outfit.
Silvera has a promising future ahead of him and could become a talisman for Boro.