Wolves used the January transfer window to boost their chances of remaining in the Premier League. The Old Gold made three signings during the mid-season window.
Vitor Pereira was very clear on his need to recruit more than one centre-back and a defensive midfielder. The 56-year-old got his wish with Wolves signing Emmanuel Agbadou at the start of the year before announcing Nasser Djiga and Marshall Munetsi on Deadline Day.
Although Djiga is still waiting to make his debut, fans were treated to an FA Cup Fourth Round cameo from Munetsi during Wolves’ win over Blackburn. The defensive midfielder impressed and came close to scoring, and Munetsi’s former youth manager has told supporters to expect more of the same from the powerhouse Zimbabwean.
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From rags to riches for Marshall Munetsi
Although he arrived at Molineux from Stade Reims in France, Munetsi was born in Harare, Zimbabwe, in 1996.
The defensive midfielder grew up under the guidance of Desmund Ali — a resident of Harare who started up youth football clubs for aspiring youngsters. Munetsi was one of Ali’s players and, without a doubt, his most successful.
“My first impression of Marshall was that he had potential,” Ali told The Athletic. “The biggest issue when we identify players for leagues in Europe is that you want bigger guys like [former Zimbabwe international] Benjani.
“Size matters in Europe and when I saw him I thought, ‘This guy is going to grow big’. I didn’t use any science. It was just an observation with the eye. When I saw his father and mother, I could tell that this guy was going to grow big.”
Ali’s prediction was right — Munetsi, although a late developer, now stands at a whopping 6’2″. Valuable physical stats for a player asked to command a Premier League side’s midfield.
Munetsi’s best attribute
It isn’t just height Munetsi excels at, though.
Going on to reveal what Munetsi is best at, Ali credited the 28-year-old’s versatility and devastating power as two of his best attributes.
“He could play as a right-back, as a centre-back, as a defensive link, as an attacking link and even as a striker. He was kind of a utility player. Covering ground was always a strength of his, even when he was playing at centre-back. He could easily join the attack without a problem. His other attribute was that he had booming shots,” Ali added.
“Even when he was young, he could hit the ball so well. He came to training on time, focusing on his training and he was more like an introvert. He didn’t talk too much, but he would do his talking on the field. If you saw him for the first time, you would think he’s just a quiet boy.
“But when you then see him playing and he’s commanding the midfield, he’s giving instructions or directing team-mates, then you see he actually talks. He was serious about his football, going home, coming for training, going to school.”
Vitor Pereira obviously sees the same qualities in his new number five. The Wolves manager clearly trusts him and sees him as Mario Lemina’s long-term replacement in the heart of the Old Gold’s midfield.
Munetsi will be hoping to make his first start when Wolves travel to Liverpool on Sunday.