Wolves manager Julen Loeptegui has praised Toti Gomes for the way he has come into the team and seized his opportunity.
The 24-year-old has now started Wolves’ last three games as a left-back.
He was something of a surprise inclusion against Nottingham Forest a few weeks ago.
But he was Wolves’ best player that day, and Lopetegui stuck with him against Chelsea.
Against the Blues he was solid again, and last weekend against Brentford it was more of the same from the Portuguese defender.
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Toti has had to be patient for a chance.
But he’s in the team now, and the shirt is his to lose.
And Lopetegui is delighted with the star’s application and mentality. He said (Express & Star): “Toti has been out of the squad list for a lot of matches but he continued working and he was ready.
“When the alarm clock came, he was ready with his performance to help the team.
“It’s a good thing for him and for us. This is one good example for the rest of the players too.
“The only way you can be ready is to work hard every day, despite not playing a lot.”
Toti featuring against Brentford was his 14th appearance of the season. It was just his sixth start in the Premier League this term.
Every squad needs a player like Wolves star Toti Gomes, as Julen Lopetegui hails defender
It must be so good for Lopetegui to have a player like Toti.
He is someone who just gets his head down in training and works hard.
He does not complain when he misses a matchday squad or doesn’t make it off the bench to play.
The star will then come into the side and be completely reliable. It is hard to recall a Wolves game where Toti has been below par.
Since he came on the scene, he has constantly given a great account of himself, and Lopetegui is quite right to call him a good example to the rest of the squad.