Emile Smith Rowe answers critics with Man Utd goal as £34.5m signing breathes new life into Fulham career
Emile Smith Rowe answers critics with Man Utd goal as £34.5m signing breathes new life into Fulham career.
The 24-year-old has struggled with fitness since joining from Arsenal last summer. Emile Smith Rowe answered his critics emphatically on Sunday afternoon, as his goal earned Fulham a point at home against Manchester United.
Smith Rowe, who was relegated to the bench for the second game in a row in place of 18-year-old Josh King, scored with his first touch after coming on to give Marco Silva a selection headache.
Fulham’s club record signing has had a frustrating start to life in west London, struggling with fitness despite some bright moments on the pitch since joining from Arsenal last summer. Smith Rowe had six goals and three assists in 34 Premier League appearances last season.
However, a series of fitness issues limited him to only 25 starts in a season when he was expected to step up and consistently demonstrate the talent he threatened to show at Arsenal.
Silva, who questioned the 24-year-old’s physical conditioning last season, has been unable to trust Smith Rowe, and the Fulham manager has instead put his faith in academy graduate King in the early stages of the season.
Smith Rowe is a player with a lot more to offer, and he will look to use his goal against United as a springboard.
The midfielder is in the ideal environment to find that consistency, free of pressure and led by a manager who has been credited with bringing out the best in previously overlooked players.
The former England international only needs to look to teammate Ryan Sessegnon, who arrived at Fulham last summer after an injury-plagued spell at Tottenham, for an example of a player who worked tirelessly to get fit and forced his way into Silva’s lineup.
Silva has no doubts about Smith Rowe’s potential; the club ultimately paid £34.5 million for his services, but he wants to see more consistency from the Englishman.
Read more on Straightwinfortoday.com
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.