Former Wolves striker Leo Bonatini took the time to share his thoughts on Matheus Cunha and how the forward compares to Premier League duo Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus.
Wolves have finally started to reap the benefits of their most expensive asset, as Gary O’Neil continues to get the best out of Matheus Cunha at Molineux.
The Brazilian took some time to build his confidence in front of goal when he first arrived in England in January 2023, finding himself on the scoresheet just twice during his initial taste of the Premier League.
The Old Gold were obligated to complete the £44m signing of the 24-year-old from Atletico Madrid in the summer, leaving fans feeling as though they had been somewhat sold short for the striker they signed who was far from prolific.
Fast-forward to now and the fee is looking far more justifiable, with Premier League legend Alan Shearer insisting Cunha will get even better.
From scoring goals to claiming assists, the revelation of Cunha at Wolves has excited many in the Midlands and beyond, with former player Leo Bonatini explaining how people in Brazil are tuning in to watch their countryman represent the Old Gold.
Leo Bonatini highlights key attributes of Wolves striker Matheus Cunha
Cunha’s Brazil teammate and ex-Wolves man Bonatini revealed the key attributes that set the Wolves striker apart and makes him such a key component of the Brazilian national side.
He said: “I think because in England the defenders are very strong so I don’t see Matheus fighting and winning balls and heading the ball but you know with the ball at his feet, he can do something different.
“If you give him space he will do something different as he did in the last game in this season so I think when he drops the play, he has more space, he’s quick, he’s fast and I think also for him the way also in Brazil we don’t have like a Harry Kane lets say, like a big tall guy that will smash everyone, we don’t have this so that’s why I think he is part of the national team because the manager they are looking for a 9 that does what he’s doing as well.”
What Leo Bonatini said about the form of Matheus Cunha
Speaking on the official Wolves podcast, Bonatini waxed lyrical about Cunha, lauding his playing style and recent form in the Premier League.
“He is a striker, you know he scores goals and being honest, in our national team there is no one that you could say – he is our nine, so he is playing on the highest level in the Premier League, he’s scoring goals.”
“He scored a hat-trick against Chelsea that is one of the biggest teams in the country so 100% the people in Brazil keep watching him because of the way they play, the way that Wolves are playing not this season but every season Wolves are doing something different.”
The 29-year-old not only backed the Wolves star to gain more caps for the national team in the future but also compared him to a Brazilian duo well-known to the Premier League, Gabriel Jesus and Richarlison.
Leo Bonatini compares Matheus Cunha to Gabriel Jesus and Richarlison
When questioned about Cunha’s preference to play slightly deeper than the usual number nine would, the former Wolves forward formed a comparison between the 24-year-old and his two international teammates.
Bonatini singled out three aspects that make the Brazilian strike trio so impressive, with Cunha having similarities to both the Arsenal star and Spurs talisman.
“They help on the defending, they help on the attack they help with everything and I think it’s the new nine, like Jesus, Richarlison, also him [Cunha], they are all the same style of the game.”
Like the Spurs forward, Cunha is flying in the Premier League this season, having netted nine league goals to Richarlison’s 10, while Jesus sits on four goals having spent time on the sidelines.
Goals aside, Bonatini was impressed with the former Atletico Madrid forward’s overall gameplay, lauding him for his match-defining actions for O’Neil’s side this term.
“He’s a world-class player, from what he’s doing you can see from one moment to another he could give three points to Wolves.”
Wolves would be in a far less desired position without the influence of Cunha this season, with Bonatini’s high opinion of the striker shared by many at Molineux.