There is still a sense of disappointment about how Jhon Arias’ stint at Wolves panned out – and a new verdict about the Colombian won’t make fans feel any better.
Last summer, Arias completed a move to Wolves from Fluminense in a deal worth around £19 million in total.
There was genuine excitement within the fanbase.
Wolves, of course, had just sold Matheus Cunha to Manchester United, and needed to bring in a player with a bit of pedigree.
Arias immediately took the vacant number 10 shirt, and hopes were high that he’d deliver a similar kind of output to the Brazilian.
But Jhon Arias failed to properly settle, and his performances left much to be desired.
He left the club in January to join Palmeiras where, perhaps inevitably, things have been going well for him.
Happier times for Jhon Arias at Palmeiras after leaving Wolves
Wolves are actually able to sell Arias for a small profit, which is quite surprising.
But clearly, Palmeiras knew that despite his poor form with Wolves, there was a player in there.
And that player is re-emerging, with Brazilian journalist Pilhado singing his praises after the player recently rose to prominence.
He said: “I said it before and some people criticised me when I said it – Jhon Arias is by far the best signing of this transfer window.
“Jhon Arias is a monster. He is not rested and he decides games. He decided the last four Palmeiras matches. It was against São Paulo, Botafogo, Grêmio and now Bahia.
“He is taking responsibility, putting the ball under his arm like a player who cost €25m should. That is what a player who arrives with that price has to do.
“He is already an undisputed starter. He is playing very well and he never stops asking for the ball.”
What other clubs should take from Arias’ Wolves move
It is frustrating to see that Arias is now being influential and impactful at Palmeiras.
Clearly, he is a good player.
But his move to Wolves just looks more and more like a wrong fit for Arias.
Wolves swooped for Arias after he had really shone at the Club World Cup.
Andros Townsend admitted Wolves’ move for Arias surprised him, because he didn’t feel he was actually that good and saying ‘I struggled to see how he would be a star in the Premier League’.
Just because a player has a good international tournament, doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be a good signing.
Granted, Arias did have some productive years at Fluminense before the Club World Cup. But it did feel a little like a panic from Wolves after the sale of Cunha.
Seemingly, he is much more suited to playing in Brazil.
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