As Wolverhampton Wanderers stepped out on their first Premier League encounter since May 2012 – to a reception of fireworks, cheers, billowing smoke and 20,000 odd rapidly waving flags, it would have taken a very studied individual to realize the contrasts with the last time the Molineux hosted a Premier League game. Back then, in May 2012, Everton were the opponents like Saturday’s curtain raiser; there were certainly no waving flags, or fireworks to greet an already relegated side.
Everything about that day was so sour, disappointing as Wolves endured such a difficult season in the top flight. While fans wanted a little entertainment from the match, some excitement after the season they had just experienced, their season was summed by Caretaker manager Terry Connor’s comments at the end of the game, “If we couldn’t win then we wanted to take something from the game” which further emphasized Wolves’ lack of quality and end product throughout an abject campaign.
Fast forward half a dozen years later, we find a new and improved Wolverhampton Wanderers, not just within the squad but the backroom staff, a highly ambitious manager, a rich owner further reflected in the huge influx of new players over the summer. Various links to mega agent Jorge Mendes who represents coach Nuno Espirito Santo, has seen Wolves potentially transform into potentially one of the best newly promoted sides ever to set foot in the Premier League.
If you take a close look at Wolves’ additions over the summer, you would understand why many neutrals place Santo’s men in high regard in the lead up to the new season. It’s not only about the quality of players they have brought in but it is fascinating that most of their signings are of Portuguese origin which again all stems from the relationships Nuno Santo and the club’s hierarchy have in tandem with Jorge Mendes. After the takeover of the club by Fosun International, Mendes was implemented as an agent representing the whole club. He is one of the most influential figures in the world of football and amongst his current clients include Cristiano Ronaldo, Jose Mourinho, David De Gea, James Rodriguez to name a few.
The clubs ties with such figures shows their on going progression and the signings made this summer – despite the need for patience to get them gelled together – shows real signs of encouragement for both the supporters and the club itself. Signings such as Rui Patricio and Jao Moutinho, two European Championship winners with Portugal in 2016 will add much needed steel, guile and experience. Belgian midfielder Leander Dendoncker signed from Anderlecht with a lot of potential to be unlocked. Record signing Adama Traore, a player who has been deemed a player with real promise for so long, can he now unlock his true rapid and vibrant nature on the big stage? Diogo Jota really impressed on loan last season in the Championship which led the club to secure his services permanently this summer. Leo Bonatini and Raul Jimenez are players with a real eye for goal with the latter scoring an impressive late equaliser to salvage Wolves a point against Everton last weekend. Both players will be tasked with firing Wolves to Premier League safety – a luxury they could not utilise during their previous efforts in the top flight.
Wolves do hold a number of talents and experience in their star studded squad, throw in players who have graced the club for a number of years such as Connor Coady, Ryan Bennett and Roman Saiss will provide Wolves with the know-how and leadership in the dressing room; players that Nuno Santo can heavily rely on to set the mood amongst his players.
Nuno Santo has pieced together a team that is well balanced and refined. Quality in every department from the goalkeeper to the firepower upfront. But one player who could potentially be the key to Wolves’ ambition this season, a player who has resolutely exerted himself as one of the leaders in the squad despite his tender age, a player who has the cutting edge and quality to gather points on his own – as shown on Saturday – is the Portuguese midfield maestro Ruben Neves. Many were left wondering as to how he did not make the Portuguese squad for the World Cup this summer – probably because he was plying his trade in the English second division. However, his performances alone should have been enough to earn a spot alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and co in Russia.
Neves spent last season negotiating the Championship effortlessly in his first season at the club. Signed for a undisclosed fee from Portuguese giants FC Porto believed to be in the region of £15.8million. Many eyebrows were raised when Nuno Santo secured the deal, after all he did successfully coach Neves while he was at Porto himself. It was a smart move from Santo, investing in a player he knew well and would easily adapt to the style he wanted to bring to the Molineux and Neves has achieved that with consummate ease. Confident, assured in possession, long range passing, shooting, blessed with excellent vision and the ability to pick the right tackles. At 21 years of age, Ruben Neves is already showing glimpses of the complete midfielder.
A player who captained FC Porto at just 18 may have just found his natural habitat in English football. His performance against Everton on Saturday was one for the ages, the perfect performance any midfielder can ask for; a goal and an assist. It’s a shame he only had a point to show for it. The free-kick to put Wolves in front was a peach, an absolute pearl, taken from a player who is a constant menace from outside the box. The stats below tell its own story.
What about the delivery for Jimenez’ equalizer? An absolute gem. The guile and technical craft in which to perfectly lift the ball at the right height for Raul Jimenez to head in was sumptuous. Terry Connor’s team, an honest group who had played above themselves back in 2012 had no one near the ability and quality as close to Ruben Neves’ capabilities. The Portuguese maestro is the perfect poster boy for everything Wolves are aspiring to achieve. Considering the nature of this article, it certainly won’t be an exaggeration to say Neves, who turns 22 in March, would improve any of the top sides in the Premier League. What it would take for any of those sides to prize him away from the Molineux is another matter entirely, maybe even Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid could be in for a sniff for his services in the future. He’s that good a player. A player destined to lead not only at club level but on the international front too, what’s for certain is that barring any injuries, Neves is sure to be a regular in the Portugal XI for the next European Championships in 2020.
Nonetheless, the system Nuno Santo employs is perfect for Neves, and one in which makes him the important pivot in midfield, the one who orchestrates attacks, the one who sets the tempo and pieces all the elements of Santo’s philosophy together like what Kevin De Bruyne is to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Neves is Santo’s midfield enforcer, if football was a puppet show, the Portuguese coach wouldn’t allow Neves out of his sight, he is the highlight reel, the poster boy, the main event. “We build from behind and pass and support”, Santos says when discussing the operation and role of Neves in his puzzle. “Ruben with his quality, has to give us that. And he will do so every moment of the game in every circumstance: losing, drawing, winning.” With players such as Jao Moutinho – another technically gifted performer – by his side, Neves can reach feats that even Moutinho couldn’t reach himself despite his own artistry.
From Saturdays evidence, Wolves will have a lot to work on especially in defence particularly with Santo’s three at the back system. Everton exploited weaknesses that hardly any Championship side identified last season as they waltzed towards the trophy. That’s the difference between both competitions, there is no room for any slump in the Premier League, or else you’ll be punished within a flash as Richarlison’s impressive second goal emphasized. No doubt about it, Santo is an astute tactician and Wolves will have a lot to look forward to this season, and one man central to those lofty ambitions is the midfield general, Ruben Neves. The man tasked with connecting all of Nuno Santo’s jigsaw pieces together.
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