Gary O’Neil gave his thoughts about Rodrigo Gomes and Pedro Lima, after Wolves’ new young duo featured in a training match against Como 1907.
Wolves took on the Italian side at the Marbella Training Centre, following an intense past few days.
O’Neil is looking to get the preparations spot on this summer. Wolves have a very tough start in the Premier League in 2024/25, and it is important to make sure everything is on point heading into the new season.
A big positive for O’Neil is that he has three new faces already through the door.
Tommy Doyle knows the score having spent the last season on loan at Molineux. But three new faces, Rodrigo Gomes, Pedro Lima and Jorgen Strand Larsen, have all come in nice and early and have a good chance of bedding in quickly.
Last night, they all featured against Como and O’Neil liked what he saw.
O’Neil pleased with Rodrigo Gomes and Pedro Lima displays after Como training match
Last night, O’Neil fielded a different team in each half against Italian side Como.
Wolves won the game, which was marred by a Como player making an alleged racist remark to Hwang Hee-chan,1-0 thanks to a goal from Matt Doherty. Results are always important, but at this stage, it is very much about getting minutes into legs and increasing match-sharpness and experimenting.
As per Nathan Judah, Yerson Mosquera gave a very good impression of himself in last night’s match. The journalist described the defender as a ‘Rolls-Royce’.
There was also praise for other young players.
O’Neil gave his verdict on new signings Lima and Rodrigo after the game – and the manager was pleased with their showings.
He said (via Wolves official): “They’ve bedded in well and we have two really young ones in Rodrigo and Pedro.
“They did well in the game, both have taken on the information well and shown a certain level of understanding after just one week and, like the rest of the group, the amount of work they’ve put in this week is incredible.”
Very positive remarks from O’Neil
- READ MORE: Gary O’Neil names his Wolves captain for pre-season friendly against Como in big hint for 2024/25
It is really encouraging to hear that Rodrigo and Lima have both settled in well following their moves from Braga and Sport Recife respectively.
It is obviously early days but it sounds like Wolves have genuinely brought in two really top prospects, who will hopefully be able to make a decent impact in the first-tea this season.
Patience will no doubt be required with both of them.
Rodrigo is still only 20, and Lima even younger having just turned 18.
The Premier League can be unforgiving for young players coming in from overseas. But it sounds like Rodrigo and Lima will both have great chances of succeeding under O’Neil.