Former Wolves midfielder Dave Edwards has admitted that he has a problem with one thing Matheus Cunha does.
Cunha has had a remarkable campaign at Molineux, in what is thought to be the Brazilian’s final season in the West Midlands.
Though the 25-year-old has contributed to 21 goals in the Premier League this campaign, some fans are not happy with Cunha.
The versatile forward has spoken openly about his desire to seek a new club in the summer transfer window, with Manchester United in position to sign Cunha.
Dave Edwards has a problem with Matheus Cunha playing as a striker
Vitor Pereira will have a task on his hands to replace Cunha, who wants to find a new club before the season ends.
Time is running out for the Brazilian and Wolves, who have only two games remaining together before the goalscorer moves on to pastures new.
Off the pitch, Cunha has caused a stir among fans; however, on it, he’s been nothing short of exemplary…most of the time.
The Brazil international had an afternoon to forget against Brighton, as Pereira drew attention to Cunha’s difficulty playing as a number nine.
As Jorgen Strand Larsen started on the bench in Wolves’ 2-0 defeat to Brighton, the boss paired Cunha with Marshall Munetsi in the advanced areas behind Goncalo Guedes, and it did not go down well.
Fans were left entirely unimpressed by Munetsi, which was a verdict shared by Dave Edwards, who commented on both the January signing’s and Cunha’s struggles.
“I was quite happy with the starting line-up. Larsen wasn’t fit to start, but I was happy that Guedes started and we had a striker playing,” Edwards began, via Express and Star.
“I don’t particularly like it when Cunha or Munetsi are the number nine, both are better playing deeper.”
Edwards was relieved to see Guedes start against Brighton, as he drew attention to how he doesn’t appreciate seeing Cunha playing in the most advanced role.
Gary O’Neil knew how to get Cunha ticking
Pereira shared an identical assessment after the defeat to Brighton, the boss admitted that he had recently ‘realised’ that Cunha ‘cannot play’ as a sole number nine.
The matter should be common knowledge at Wolves, given how Cunha’s rise came about, as O’Neil identified how to play to the Brazilian’s needs.
Though O’Neil wanted Cunha to rotate as a striker last season, it quickly became apparent that the 25-year-old worked best away from the pressures as a centre-forward.
Julen Lopetegui was unable to get the best out of his signing due to the rigidity of Cunha’s role in his 4-4-2 system, making it clear as day that the 2023 acquisition must play behind the number nine.
O’Neil, Pereira, and now Edwards understand the detrimental impact of playing the forward as a central striker, with the number ten pocket being where Cunha thrives.