Wolves break another record that piles even more pressure on Vitor Pereira

As the international break gets underway, Vitor Pereira will be reflecting on Wolves’ season so far and asking tough questions.

It feels like we only just got back from the last international break, but again, we’re without Wolves action for the next two weeks as players head off to represent their countries.

Vitor Pereira won’t be thrilled with the timing of the break, as his side have been steadily improving in recent weeks.

They risk losing that momentum, which could be a problem for the Portuguese, who is feeling the pressure after recent results despite recently extending his Wolves contract. And there’s even more reason for that pressure when you consider a record Wolves have broken for the second month running.

Wolves have a record 17 players on international duty

You can get some idea of the quality a squad possesses by how many players are deemed good enough to represent their national team. Wolves’ 17 selections is the most ever for the club, and doesn’t even include Jhon Arias and Matt Doherty, who have been omitted.

It’s not a perfect science by any means, as breaking into some squads is far more difficult than others, but it does indicate strength in depth in this Wolves squad.

The resulting question from that number is why Pereira hasn’t been able to get results with such a talented group.

• READ MORE: Wolves have presented their project to midfielder from Moises Caicedo’s former club

Of course, it’s not that simple. But it’s a lens through which some will look at, and criticise the job done by Pereira this season.

The other way of looking at it is through a more positive lens. Wolves have never had so many players competing at the international level, so there is clearly a higher ceiling to the side than previous iterations. A ceiling that Pereira can push towards.

Quantity ≠ Quality

There is also a counter-argument to look at. Just because this Wolves side has the most international footballers, doesn’t mean it has more quality than recent sides.

Meaning no offence to these Wolves players, but you would rather have Brazil’s Matheus Cunha or Haiti’s Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Zimbabwe’s Tawanda Chirewa?

All that being said, it’s better to use the positive lens and avoid Wolves-related angst for the next couple of weeks.

It’s great that Wolves have so many international players. Many of them have come in this summer. Yes, there is an element of pressure that comes with failing to get results with a good squad, and Pereira should feel like things need to improve.

But the fact that this is a record-setting level of quality at Wolves is a good thing, and points towards a potential uptick in form once the new elements of the side settle in fully.