This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Wolves have finally started to see their fortunes turn around, particularly in the Premier League.
Sunday’s shock victory over Manchester City meant it was three straight victories in regulation time – a far cry from a month ago when the west Midlands club were thrashed 5-2 by Chelsea at Molineux before losing their Europa League group opener.
With the season taking an interval for the second international break of the season, transfer rumours tend to resurface with the lack of considerable competitive football on offer at the top of the elite game.
Wolves this week have already seen Willy Boly linked with a move to Arsenal, but there’s also been chatter about Ruben Neves’ future over in Spain as La Liga giants Real Madrid see him as a possible target in January.
One Wolves fan thinks he’s pinpointed the moment when they went from EPL strugglers to “peak Barcelona 2011” in the video below…
It’s doubtful that many would like to see his departure, though, it is one that should ultimately happen.
Firstly, those reports suggest that the Portuguese anchorman would be available for €50m (£44.8m), which is more than double what they originally paid for him, but they could probably get a lot more, especially with how heavily Los Blancos tend to pursue their targets.
Secondly, he wouldn’t be that big of a miss based off this season.
The 22-year-old was outstanding in the Championship when Wolves won the title – the fact he left Champions League regulars Porto for the English second tier was quite surprising, so him looking a cut above everyone else was a complete contrast in reality.
Neves bagged six goals while averaging a passing accuracy of 84.9% and 2.3 tackles per game, via WhoScored.
But since then, it’s gradually decreased culminating in this season’s weak attempt, which suggests he’s struggled to step up to the difference in quality.
Watch Wolverhampton Wanderers Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below
His passing accuracy is currently at a career-low 71.7%, and he hasn’t had the domineering effect in midfield that he once had in the old gold shirt, averaging only 1.3 tackles per game.
Neves played in 35 top-flight games last campaign, but he’s been dropped several times already this season because of his poor performances – starting just one of Wolves’ last three Premier League matches.
Fellow countryman Joao Moutinho has stepped up to contribute in areas he probably didn’t previously do earlier in his career – as seen against City, where he recorded three more tackles than the defensively-minded Neves.
It may be harsh, but the 6-foot midfielder has been good for the odd screamer since their title-winning campaign, but aside from that, he’s struggled to live up to that golden debut season. On that evidence, he’s someone they could potentially replace.
Transfermarkt rate him at £45m, they can get a lot more than that, which will help them find a replacement that can do a better job in defensive midfield.
