Wolves U21s manager James Collins had some kind words for midfielder Bruno Jordao after last night’s U21s game against PSV Eindhoven.
The youngsters ran out 2-1 winners under the lights at Molineux.
Nathan Fraser and Kam Kandola got the goals for the hosts.
The win came in front of Gary O’Neil, who was there casting his eye over the young talents within the club right now.
Enso Gonzalez featured again, and provided an assist for Kandola with a great corner.
One other interesting feature of the U21s side last night was the inclusion of Jordao – and Collins really praised him after the match…
James Collins heaps praise on Bruno Jordao for his application at Wolves despite his situation
Jordao has been deemed surplus to requirements in terms of being a first-team player.
Sadly, his injury problems have meant he’s been unable to realise his potential at Molineux.
He arrived from Lazio at the same time as Pedro Neto, and he hasn’t been quite as lucky as his fellow Portuguese in coming back from a serious injury to thrive.
It was expected that Jordao would leave in the summer.
But a move did not materialise for him, and he’s been with the U21s since.
But Collins has nothing but good things to say about the 25-year-old.
He said: “He’s been excellent with his attitude and character around the group. It’s very difficult for senior players who get a bit lost because they don’t quite know where they’re going next. It can be a messy time for them.
“That can then rub off on their attitude which then means they’re a pain for us at under-21 level, but he’s not been at all. He’s shown drive, personality and character.
“One or two of his early games with us weren’t up to his high standards and he was quick to text me and apologise, but I said ‘no, you don’t need to. You haven’t had much football and it takes a while to get back to it’.
“I said to him before the game, ‘tonight will be how we judge you, because you’re now fit, playing games and we’ll see what you’re about’. And I thought he was excellent.”
It was suggested by journalist Liam Keen recently that Jordao will likely never play for Wolves’ first-team again.
Fair play to Jordao – his time at Wolves has been unfortunate
These remarks from Collins clearly show what kind of person Jordao is.
He could be forgiven for being really frustrated right now. He’s been robbed of many opportunities thanks to injury. And he didn’t get a move away in the summer to start somewhere afresh.
But it sounds like he just gets his head down and gets on with it.
He’s clearly someone with a great deal of humility.
Him getting another shot at the first-team for Wolves seems highly unlikely. So hopefully he will soon be able to find a new club, become a regular first-teamer and get his career going again. Because he deserves better than to play U21s football.