‘Impressed and pleasantly surprised’: How Middlesbrough ace is turning heads in new role after Portsmouth failure
‘Impressed and pleasantly surprised’: How Middlesbrough ace is turning heads in new role after Portsmouth failure.
Sammy Silvera had a disastrous loan spell at Fratton Park during the first half of the 2024-25 season.
Middlesbrough manager Rob Edwards has praised Sammy Silvera’s career comeback following his Pompey disappointment. And the Boro’s head coach feels the Australian prodigy has the potential to thrive in a new wing-back position.
Following a dismal 2024-25 season that included failed loan appearances at Fratton Park and Blackpool, the 24-year-old’s future at the Riverside Stadium was questionable.
But fast track four months later, Silvera has since cemented himself as a mainstay in the Boro side, who are topping the Championship standings after the opening four games.
Sammy Silvera’s impressive career turnaround
Edwards told Teesside Live: ‘I’ve been extremely thrilled and pleasantly surprised by how much he’s valued that part (learning the defensive side of the role).
‘I think he was particularly good in the Millwall game, which had a lot of aerial duels and set-pieces to defend. I’ve been pleased with how he has valued that aspect of the game as well.
His outstanding start to the season earned him a recall to the Australian national team by Tony Popovic, after missing the previous three camps.
With his reputation increasing at both club and international levels, Edwards is confident the former Pompey loanee is well positioned in the wing-back competition, with new Middlesbrough signings Matt Targett and Alex Bangura both back in contention.
‘He is still an option for us there since he has done so well. I’ve said several times how crucial it is for me to have guys that can play two or three different roles.
This allows them to prioritise playing time. It also allows us to demonstrate versatility from game to game and even inside games.
Sammy has now demonstrated, via four high-quality performances in four difficult games, that he is more than capable of playing that role at this level.
Sammy Silvera’s tough Pompey loan stay
Silvera struggled during his loan spell at Fratton Park, failing to score or assist in any of his 12 appearances.
After being given his first start in three months against Bristol City in December 2024, the winger’s final appearance for the Blues came after chanting of “send him back” were heard from the travelling Fratton faithful.
He was later returned to the Riverside Stadium in January before being loaned out to League One Blackpool for the duration of the season. He has one goal and one assist during his stint at Bloomfield Road.
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