Wolves now find themselves six points above the relegation zone in the Premier League after 28 games played, following their most recent point earned against Everton, drawing 1-1 with the Toffees at Molineux.
Vitor Pereira’s side held 66% possession against David Moyes' Everton, taking 11 shots in the match, creating one big chance and generating 0.77 xG.
Wolves have been looking to control games much more in recent weeks, something we haven’t really seen since their big losses in central midfield areas.
However, they may have finally found their next Vitinha or next Ruben Neves in the middle of the park.
Vitinha & Ruben Neves at Wolves
Neves left Wolves in the 2023/24 summer transfer window, joining Al Hilal for a club-record transfer fee of £47m.
The Portuguese midfielder made 253 appearances in his six years at the club, scoring 30 goals, providing 13 assists and totalling 20,558 minutes played.
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The 27-year-old was an ever-present figure in their midfield, often taking the captain's armband in the absence of Conor Coady, before taking the mantle on a full-time basis in the 2022/23 season, when Coady departed to join Everton on loan.
Vitinha is another midfielder who spent some time on loan with Wolves in the 2020/21 season, making 22 appearances for the club, scoring one goal, providing one assist and totalling 711 minutes played.
The club had a buy option for the Portugal international, but decided not to activate it, which in hindsight was a huge mistake seeing the quality he is now showing at PSG. Such has been the midfielder's rise to stardom that he was among the Ballon d'Or nominees for 2024.
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Luckily for Wolves, it looks like they have found their Neves and Vitinha replacement, with a midfielder they signed in the most recent summer transfer window, who is beginning to make a name for himself in the heart of the pitch.
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Wolves new irreplaceable star who's shades of Neves
Wolves signed Fluminense midfielder, Andre, for a fee of around £21m in the 2024/25 summer transfer window, and whilst it took a few months to settle, the 23-year-old is now becoming a key fixture in the team under Pereira.
Since joining the club, Andre has made 26 appearances, totalling 1,828 minutes so far. His impact has already led to high praise, with former Molineux man Andy Thompson describing his performances as "outstanding."
Wolverhampton Wanderers' Joao Gomes celebrates with Andre and Matheus Cunha after scoring
So, what do the numbers say? Well, when you compare Andre's underlying metrics from this season to those of Neves and Vitinha in their final seasons at the club (Vitinha's only season), you can see what he brings that they had been missing
Andre vs Neves & Vitinha comparison at Wolves
Stats (per 90 mins)
Goals
Assists
Progressive Carries
Progressive Passes
Pass Completion %
Key Passes
Passes into Final Third
Tackles
Interceptions
Ball Recoveries
Stats taken from FBref
He possesses quality on the ball to progress play mixed with the tenacity and duel-winning capabilities to regain possession in the middle of the park, bringing out the best qualities both Neves and Vitinha possess.
Andre averages the most tackles of the trio with 3.10 tackles per 90, whilst also having the highest pass completion percentage at 92.7%, keeping things ticking in midfield, progressing play and providing steel in the middle when they do lose possession.
Andre
It's these qualities that have led to Andre becoming an irreplaceable figure in recent weeks, and alongside Matheus Cunha when he returns from his suspension, the Brazilian will be key to Wolves staying up and finishing the season in a strong fashion.
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