It is safe to say that Jhon Arias has not made the explosive start many Wolves fans were hoping for.
Wolves landed the Colombia international from Fluminense, paying around £19 million in total.
Jhon Arias was seen as the marquee signing of the summer and also the replacement for Matheus Cunha. He even took the Brazilian’s old number 10 shirt.
So far though, we have not really seen Arias make any major impact.
He’s made 10 appearances so far for just over 600 minutes, and he is yet to score or assist which is disappointing.
He and the other attacking players will certainly need to step up if the club are to pull away from the relegation zone.
But Vitor Pereira does believe Arias – who was spared from Colombia duty over the international break – is heading in the right direction, dropping a positive verdict on the 28-year-old recently.
Vitor Pereira insists Jhon Arias is ‘winning confidence’ at Wolves
Fans have questioned the club’s recruitment in the summer.
Arias was a player that many were delighted to see join at the though, having shone for years at Fluminense. He had also impressed at the Club World Cup.
Arias has yet to really land at Wolves, and there are likely few reasons.
But ultimately Pereira – who was key in bringing Arias to Molineux – believes the South American is getting more confident now and that the system is helping him.
He told the E&S: “It was important because Jhon played for a long time at Fluminense,” Pereira said when asked about Colombia’s decision.
“They have a game model of playing in the short spaces with the ball. It’s a very difficult league, but different.
“It’s not easy to come here. For Jhon, he’s learning the language and he’s come from Rio de Janeiro to Wolverhampton, it’s a big difference.
“It’s a new league, very different, the physicality and pace, but he’s increasing his level.
“Game after game he’s winning confidence and that’s important for us.
“I believe the system is more for him, he recognises it. Now it’s easier for him to associate with the others.”
Time for Arias to step up
This is a promising assessment from the Wolves manager about Arias, who must now stand up and be counted.
Arias has had a few months to adapt and learn the language a bit, and Wolves now need him to really deliver.
It would have helped massively had he converted that chance he had against Brighton where he skied his effort over the crossbar.
But hopefully Arias will open his account this weekend against Burnley – his confidence will surely then soar.
Wolves paid a lot of money for him to make a relatively quick impact. Now, after taking some time to adapt, he must deliver.