There hasn’t been too much to smile about for Wolves and Vitor Pereira this season, but one player’s performances have been a rare bright spark.
Wolves made a fair few personnel changes over the summer months. A centre-back, two wing-backs, and three attackers arrived through the door after plenty went in the opposite direction.
Some signings have settled in quicker than others, but the player Vitor Pereira is most surprised by isn’t a completely new face, but a returning loanee who has quickly established himself in Wolves’ strongest XI.
And he wasn’t meant to be a starter.
Vitor Pereira delighted with the form of Hugo Bueno
When Pep Guardiola came knocking to snatch one of Wolves’ best players from last season, Rayan Ait-Nouri, it felt as though that bit of recruitment would be crucial.
David Moller Wolfe was brought in from AZ Alkmaar, thought to be a similar profile who could replace some of the Algerian’s staggering output.
But it was Hugo Bueno, just back from a season-long loan at Feyenoord, who stepped up. And it’s something Pereira didn’t see coming.
Speaking to E&S, he was asked if the Spaniard’s performances had surprised him so far, to which he responded: “Especially the personality because I knew the talent. When you play in the Spain national team, you must have skills, tactical and technical skills, but I like his personality.
“He has confidence in himself and I like this kind of player.”
Bueno’s confidence is clear to see. He looks like a new man under Pereira, even if the overall team performance continues to disappoint. His creativity numbers best those of Ait-Nouri this season, something no one at Molineux will have seen coming.
His tenacity and will to win are clear to see on the pitch, and it has given Moller Wolfe an unenviable task.
Vitor Pereira speaks on Moller Wolfe’s start at Wolves
It was pretty clear when the Norwegian arrived at the club that he would be first choice for the left side.
That hasn’t happened due to Bueno’s unreal form, but Pereira is urging patience with the new signing.
He says: “If he keeps going with his work, expressing himself and proving himself every day, then one day he will have a chance to play for sure.”
“He’s a bit shy. Some players arrive in another world, from a different life in a different league, and the Dutch league is different. He needs some adaptation here.”
Luckily for the Wolves boss, he has a ready-made starter in the position so there isn’t that same pressure for Moller Wolfe to settle in straight away. That being said, we need to see more from the £10 million man.