An update on the fitness of Matt Doherty has emerged at Wolves.
Matt Doherty has been dealing with a wrist injury since the beginning of the season. Recovery didn’t go as planned, and he has now undergone surgery that will keep him out for the next few weeks.
This is a blow for Wolves, who had started to find joy with a back-four setup.
The Irishman started the last two games at right-back, clearly the preferred option for that role. But his absence will mean more minutes for an exciting talent.
Jackson Tchatchoua gets the opportunity
With Doherty and Ki-Jana Hoever out, it’s between Rodrigo Gomes and Jackson Tchatchoua to stake their claim for the starting berth, assuming that Vitor Pereira will continue to deploy a 4-3-3.
Gomes really is a wing-back by nature, more focused on attacking than on defending. It’s difficult to picture him in a back four.
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Tchatchoua, on the other hand, has certainly showcased his defensive chops recently, and his strong frame and physical presence is more in line with what the position requires.
It’s an opportunity for the Cameroonian to show his talents while Doherty recovers.
Wolves need to be careful at full-back
So Tchatchoua starts on one side, and Hugo Bueno’s performances have made him all but undroppable on the other.
Two exciting options, but that may be the issue.
Both Bueno and Tchatchoua like to bomb forward with pace, and both have been creative outlets for Wolves. But they will need to remember that the cover behind them will be one player less if Pereira continues to use two centre-backs rather than three.
There needs to be clear communication between the wide defenders and their nearby teammates so Wolves aren’t left exposed.
But we think Tchatchoua will thrive in this role and predict big things from this pairing at the weekend.