Last season’s English Championship winners Wolverhampton Wanderers might still be waiting for their first Premier League victory this term but they’ve certainly impressed in their opening three outings.

In their last match, Nuno Espirito Santo’s men managed to become the first side in England’s top flight in this campaign to stop Premier League champs Manchester City from gaining all three points.

Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves, and his impressive performances, should have caught the eye of Man City boss Pep Guardiola and Tottenham Hotspur gaffer Maurico Pochettino.

The Portuguese international midfield star is energetic, creative and very easy on the eye when he has possession of the football. His style would certainly attract Pep and Pochettino.

We know Man City are still on the lookout for a new central midfielder. They lost Yaya Toure in the summer and they failed to bring in top target Jorginho to replace the legendary Ivorian.

Tottenham failed to bring in any new players during the off-season and the midfield will probably need attention in one of the next two transfer windows. It looks like Mousa Dembele is going to be off on a free transfer next summer and Spurs will need to replace the Belgian, if that does indeed happen.

Both clubs will now know that Ruben Neves has the qualities to shine in the Premier League.

The midfielder has formed a strong partnership with veteran midfielder Joao Coutinho at Molineux. Both can be very disciplined and sit and protect the defence when required. While Neves also has the engine to venture further forward when play dictates and he can usually be found lurking just outside the penalty area, as he waits on a ball coming to him so he can produce a telling pass or have a dig from distance!

Ruben also possess great vision and a wide passing range, which can lead to key passes and assists. Neves provided a great assist for Raul Jimenez against Everton, when he crossed the ball into the back post and it was inch perfect in finding the Mexican’s head.

The midfielder is also a fine set-piece taker, whether it be balls into the box or shots at goal. His outstanding free-kick against The Toffees shot into the net like an arrow firing at the bullseye.

In his first three Premier League games; Neves has had an 84% passing success rate, made around 6.7 long balls per game, made 2.3 tackles, made 1.3 dribbles and 1.3 interceptions. He’s the man that seems to make Wolves tick.

Discipline was an issue for the twenty-one year old last year as he picked up eleven yellow cards in The Championship but thus far he’s still to be booked this term.

Before the start of the season, Wolves boss Nuno warned that there should be more to come from the youngster:

“I think Neves still has a lot to improve. Not only him but all the squad.

“The window of growing for a player never finishes. There’s always something to improve if he’s aged 20, 25, 30, it doesn’t matter.”

That potential of becoming an even better talent will again prick the ears of Guardiola and Mauricio. They have sides that play in a particular way, that involves seeing plenty of the ball and being efficient with it, and having a talented young player that can come straight into the team is extremely favourable.

I really wouldn’t be surprised if many a top European team attributes an interest in Ruben Neves as January hits, with Man City and Spurs potentially leading the queue of admirers. Now it might take a very big bid to persuade Wolves into selling their top young star and even then I still don’t think the Championship winners will sanction the sale until next summer.

If he carries on impressing, then his price tag will carry on increasing!

Posted on August 27th, 2018 by scott
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