Former Wolves midfielder Dave Edwards questioned Julen Lopetegui’s decision to play Joao Moutinho as a number 10 in recent games.
The 36-year-old has taken up some advanced positions in recent matches for Wanderers.
He hasn’t been a nailed on starter under Lopetegui.
But Moutinho has still seen plenty of minutes, and more often that not he has been playing high up since the Spaniard came in.
In the eyes of Edwards, this is an oversight from the manager.
Speaking on the Wolves Weekly podcast, he said: “I don’t think, without any disrespect to Joao Moutinho because he is such a wonderful footballer… I think he’s a central midfielder.
“He does a job at number 10, but he’s very much a midfielder playing a 10. Whereas when Sarabia plays it, he’s an attacker playing a 10. When Cunha plays it, he’s an attacker playing a 10. I think there’s a very distinct difference there.
“Moutinho nicks the ball well and makes good runs. But he’s not going to be able to get on the end of a cross. He’s not going to be able to break through lines with the type of player he is and the age he’s at now. It would be unfair to ask him to do that.”
Dave Edwards is right – Joao Moutinho should be playing deeper for Wolves and not as a number 10
It is hard to argue with anything Edwards has said here.
Moutinho can certainly ‘do a job’ as a number 10. But there are far better options than him for that role.
Matheus Cunha is probably the best suited, as he will pick up those spaces between the opposition midfield and defence and get up to support the striker.
Moutinho is probably better utilised as a number eight.
And arguably, he should be coming on in games to play that position, as opposed to starting them.
We have seen a few times this season how he is much more impactful from the bench, so hopefully we will see more of that in the final eight games.