Vitor Pereira is looking to add new players to his squad ahead of the new season to try and take Wolves to the next level.
This is an extremely important summer for the club, who could really struggle in 2025/26 if they do not get the recruitment right.
Wolves have already lost Matheus Cunha, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Pablo Sarabia, and it is looking like Nelson Semedo will also be on his way out.
In recent days, Pereira has expressed his concern about players leaving Wolves.
And today, he spoke about the need to create competition within the squad.
And there is actually one player who is very much on board with that.
Toti Gomes wants competition for his own spot at Wolves
Toti Gomes in the Wolves dressing room.
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Toti Gomes has been one of Wolves best players since Pereira came to the club.
The headlines were often stolen by the likes of Cunha, and Jorgen Strand Larsen, as they scored the goals that kept Wanderers well away from danger.
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New signing Emmanuel Agbadou also came in for plenty of plaudits.
But Toti was a pillar of consistency at the back for Wolves, and his heavy involvement was a clear indicator of how Pereira views him.
Pereira has previously talked up the importance of Toti and the balance he brings to the side.
Certainly, he feels absolutely perfect for the role on the left of the back three for Wolves, and he surely stands to start for Wolves when the new season kicks off.
However, Toti would welcome competition for his own place in the team.
He said (via Wolves official): “With Vitor, I’ve been playing a lot and I’ve been enjoying it as well. I’ve been in that [left centre-back] position and we’ve been working hard trying to put the ideas that he shows at the training ground to the pitch.
“It’s always good to have some competition as well between the positions, not just at centre-back, but in the other positions too. I think competition is going to make a better player. But for me, I just want to play and help the team, and if I play, I will always give my best.”
Wolves manager Vitor Pereira at Old Trafford.
Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images
Toti must be a dream to manage
It is not that often you get players publicly declaring that competition would make them play better, or suggesting new signings to be made in their own position.
That just shows how much of a team player Toti is.
And that has been the case ever since Wolves recalled him from his loan spell at Grasshoppers in January 2021 and he became a part of the first-team.
He did not always play in the beginning, and he had to be patient for chances.
They have only really started to come regularly for Toti – who cost just £900,000 (via Nathan Judah) – in the last couple of seasons, but he fully deserves to be getting the minutes he is.
He is no frills, hardworking and very low maintenance. And for these reasons, he must be a dream for any manager to work with.
It shows a great mentality to want competition in the squad and to suggest signings should be made for your own position.
With Pereira needing to choose a new captain soon, the Portuguese could do a lot worse than Toti, who sported the armband on his 100th appearance