Emile Smith Rowe answered his critics emphatically on Sunday afternoon as his goal rescued a point for Fulham at home to Manchester United.
Smith Rowe, relegated to the bench for 18-year-old Josh King for the second game running, scored with his first touch after coming on to breathe new life into his Fulham career and give Marco Silva a welcome selection headache.
It's been a frustrating start to life in west London for Fulham's club record signing, who, despite bright moments on the pitch, has struggled for fitness since arriving from Arsenal last summer.
Smith Rowe contributed six goals and three assists in 34 Premier League appearances last season. However, a succession of fitness issues limited him to just 25 starts in a season where he was expected to kick on and consistently show the talent he threatened to realise at Arsenal.
Silva, who questioned the 24-year-old's physical conditioning last season, hasn't been able to trust Smith Rowe, and the Fulham boss has instead placed his faith in academy graduate King in the early weeks of the campaign.
King, who recently signed a new long-term deal, started against United and was denied a goal of his own by a sprawling save from Altay Bayindir in the first-half.
His rapid ascent has been a bright spot for Fulham over the last year, but Silva will want to manage the teenager's minutes this season.
In a summer where Fulham have struggled to sign players, it’s increasingly important that Silva can look inwardly for solutions.
Smith Rowe is a player who has a lot more to give and he will hope to use his goal against United as a springboard.
The midfielder is in the perfect environment to find that consistency, free from pressure, with a manager who has been credited with getting the best out of players previously cast aside.
The former England international only needs to look to teammate Ryan Sessegnon, who arrived at Fulham last summer after an injury-hit spell at Tottenham, as the perfect example of a player who worked tirelessly to get fit and managed to force his way into Silva’s plans.
Silva is in no doubt as to the player Smith Rowe can become, ultimately the club parted with £34.5million to acquire his services, but he needs to see more consistency from the Englishman.
