Hwang Hee-chan has revealed Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho as the two smartest players at Wolves.
The South Korea international has given an interview with Goal.com as part of their ongoing ‘Simply The Best’ series.
The 27-year-of was asked an array of questions.
He was first asked for the best player he’s played with and the best player he’s faced.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Hwang said that Erling Haaland was the best player he’s played with. The pair were teammates together at RB Salzburg.
He then chose Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk as his toughest opponent to date. Hwang notes the Dutchman’s speed and strength make him a fearsome defender.
Eventually he was asked who the smartest player at Wolves was.
Unable to choose just one, he said: “I will say Ruben. And Joao Moutinho. They know how we can win and how we can play. They’ve had many experiences.”
Neves and Moutinho have certainly both shown incredible footballing intelligence over the years at Molineux.
The Portuguese duo have shown themselves to be fantastic technicians, and both are right up there with the best players in the club’s history in the eyes of many fans.
Both of them have the potential to make the game look easy with the way they use their intelligence.
Neither player is particularly quick or athletic.
But they have still hurt many a team with their playmaking and vision.
Wolves are about to lose two highly intelligent footballers in Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho
Sadly, it looks as though Wolves 2023/24 squad will not be including Neves and Moutinho.
Moutinho is out of contract and reportedly isn’t being offered an extension.
And Neves has been strongly linked with Barcelona and could depart with Wolves needing to bring in funds.
It will be a huge shame if both of these highly intelligent footballers leave.
But we’ve had a little glimpse into the future without them, and Mario Lemina and Joao Gomes look a terrific pairing.
Perhaps those two aren’t quite as intelligent as Neves and Moutinho. But they are miles more athletic and still both quite technical.