Vitor Pereira spoke about Matheus Cunha and his future last night, after the star came in for criticism for his performance against Chelsea.
Cunha was back in the starting XI for Wolves for the first time since late December.
There was some doubt as to whether he would start, having missed some training last week due to illness.
But Cunha did start, but it was a performance that was way below his usual standards.
Wolves were really poor on the night against Chelsea, and Cunha was disappointing – but mainly because of how he came across. Many Wolves fans were left disappointed by Cunha’s demeanor against Chelsea.
Cunha cut a frustrated figure throughout the match, and didn’t respond particularly well when engaging with Pereira on the sideline during an in-game break in the first-half.
After the game, Pereira criticised Cunha over his body language and now there is fresh speculation about his immediate future.
Pereira says Matheus Cunha is ‘committed to Wolves’
Yesterday morning, it was suggested Cunha’s agent has been making some noise amid the contract negotiations with Wolves.
It had seemed as though it was a question of when and not of Cunha would sign a new deal at Molineux.
A verbal agreement was apparently reached a couple of weeks ago, but there has not yet been any actual breakthrough or announcement by the club.
Some have speculated that a club may have firmed up their interest in Cunha, or potentially even placed a bid.
Some feel this was the reason for Cunha’s below-par display against Chelsea.
Asked about whether Cunha has had his head turned, Pereira defiantly said (via E&S): “He is committed to Wolves.
“But in your life when you start to listen that other clubs (are interested), he’s human and it’s normal in football.
“He needs to put his mind on the target, to increase his level because he’s come from injury and it’s normal he’s not at the same level now.
“To help the team again with his quality, because he has a lot of quality.
“The team needs him with good energy, not with frustration. He must slow down and put his mind in the right place.”
Wolves must quickly resolve Cunha situation
In an ideal world, Wolves will resolve this situation as soon as possible.
Cunha is Wolves’ best player, and the current speculation surrounding his immediate future is not helpful to anyone at the club.
Pereira has got to do his utmost to keep his talisman, with Wolves in serious danger of being relegated.
Losing Cunha would be a hammer blow to the club’s hopes of staying up.
That said if, like Mario Lemina, Cunha’s head isn’t fully in the game at Wolves, then an exit should not be ruled out.
Supposedly Wolves would want around £80 million to sell Cunha, which would potentially prove prohibitive for some interested clubs.