Merely a year ago, De Silva was put through the paces of a post-game warm down following the Central Coast Mariners’ FFA Cup loss to Blacktown City. The game was his official return to Australian football following an underwhelming period in The Netherlands with Roda JC. His substitute appearance was not enough to help best a spirited Blacktown side in a night of dismay for Paul Okon and his young Mariners side.

2017/18 was set up to be De Silva’s chance to reignite his career in a well-balanced Mariners squad lead by the ambitious Okon, whom De Silva was fond of, following his time with Australia’s U20s setup.

Predicted as a Socceroos bolter for the World Cup, his spot was eventually taken by Melbourne City’s (and now Celtic’s) Daniel Arzani. Undeniably it was a deserved call up for the up and coming talent, cited as the best young Australian player since Harry Kewell.

De Silva: I wasn't a rebel on strike

Like Arzani, De Silva has been touted as the next ‘big thing’ for the Socceroos because of his nature as a player. At such a young age both demonstrated the qualities the Socceroos seemingly lack depth in - unafraid to take the game on, technically superior to those around them and able to change a game within a moment.

Such an elusive and competitive bolter spot in the Australian squad was set up to be De Silva’s, a chance he lost to Arzani as the season wore on and the Mariners faced a wooden spoon battle. While the diminutive attacking midfielder played for a Mariners side built around him, the squad found goals the hardest to come by despite all their impressive build up play.

De Silva, now 21, has the stage in place for him to push and progress to the level he was meant to be reaching when he left Perth Glory for a European opportunity with Serie A side AS Roma in 2015.

In a period of sheer confusion, De Silva did not end up playing with Roma as Perth did not receive the first part of a reported $2.5 million dollar transfer fee. He subsequently went on loan to Roda JC in the Eredivisie for two years. He was given rare chances to impress and ultimately frozen out his deal was cut short by six months.

Now, De Silva finds himself in a Sydney FC side looking to retain its dominance in the A-League following the departure of Graham Arnold to the Socceroos. As the subject of the A-League’s first ever intra-league loan signing, De Silva has a full season ahead with a squad that is relentlessly hungry for success.

De Silva debut strike pleases Corica

In a Sydney FC squad complemented by the likes of Milos Ninkovic, Alex Brosque and new signing (and former Premier League striker) Adam Le Fondre, De Silva has the quality around him to finish the chances his Mariners teammates struggled to. His quick feet, creative nous and unpredictability will be facets current Sydney FC coach, Steve Corica, will be looking to maximise as he seeks to fill the gap left by the departure of marquee and Johnny Warren medallist Adrian Mierzejewski.

De Silva reminded the Australian football community of his quality in a recent FFA Cup Round of 32 tie against Rockdale City Suns as he sent a blistering volley past ex-Socceroos goalkeeper Ante Covic from the edge of the box. He further dazzled with his mazy runs and already established connection with the players around him.

Although it was a cup tie against lesser opposition, it represented an opportunity for De Silva and Sydney FC to further hone in on adopting to Corica’s tactical ethos.

If anything though, the goal and his performance is a stark reminder of what he is capable of, something the Sky Blues and A-League fans as a whole should undoubtedly get excited about.