Opinion

Julen Lopetegui deserves praise for handing Wolves a player who suits the Premier League ‘to a tee’

Despite Wolves’ terrible start to the season, Gary O’Neil will feel lucky to have such a talented squad at his disposal.

It’s surprising to see the Old Gold sit so low in the table after putting together an encouraging pre-season.

After nine games played, Wolves sit 19th in the table with just two points from a possible 27 and are without a Premier League win since April. 

O’Neil has to turn things around quickly, which is more than possible thanks to one player who is hitting top form amid the crisis.

West Ham United v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images

Matheus Cunha praised for recent Wolves form

Very few of the current relegation candidates have a player with quality that can match Matheus Cunha.

The Brazilian has found a place to call home at Molineux, working perfectly with O’Neil to consistently contribute to the goals.

With four Premier League goals in nine appearances so far this season, Cunha was placed under the spotlight on the E&S Wolves Podcast, with journalist Liam Keen showering the forward with praise. 

“He’s easily in the best form of his career,” the Wolves expert said.

“He’s played with some very big and good clubs and it’s just working. He knows the Premier League and he suits it to a tee. He’s a fantastic player.”

O’Neil has certainly got things ticking for Cunha in England however, it’s his previous manager who made it happen.

Wolves’ signings under Julen Lopetegui were perfect

For all of the criticism that Julen Lopetegui faces at Molineux, some deserved, the Spaniard can only be applauded for his signings during his ninth-month tenure. 

Lopetegui signed Cunha on an initial loan from Atletico Madrid, identifying a talent that went astray in Spain and became a star in the Premier League. 

PlayerClub signed from
Matheus CunhaAtletico Madrid
Joao GomesFlamengo
Boubacar TraoreFC Metz
Matt DohertyAtletico Madrid
Mario LeminaOGC Nice
Pablo SarabiaParis Saint-Germain
Craig DawsonWest Ham
Dan BentleyBristol City
Tom KingNorthampton
Julen Lopetegui’s signings at Wolves

The now West Ham boss spotted something special in Cunha, despite the forward being a striker who couldn’t score in LaLiga, netting only seven goals in 54 appearances under Diego Simeone.

Paying £44m for the out-of-form player was a masterclass from Lopetegui, who is responsible for handing O’Neil a talent who has hit the form of his life in England.

Not many would have thought that Wolves could make a future profit from Cunha however, that looks to be a certainty almost two years down the line.