Matt Hobbs has split opinion at Wolves over the years, but in some cases, Wolves’ sporting director has hit the jackpot.
Having taken on the sporting director role at Wolves in 2022, Hobbs has overseen some pivotal signings at Molineux.
In recent seasons, the Englishman has delivered some top, top talent to the West Midlands, with his best deals coming from overseas.
Shopping in the South American market has been a triumph for the Old Gold, as seen through the signings of midfield maestros Joao Gomes and Andre.
While Gomes has become a leader at Wolves after arriving in 2023 from Flamengo, Andre is still getting his bearings, signing for the Premier League club less than a year ago.
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Fluminense are still struggling to replace Andre
Not many would believe that the Brazilian only just arrived from Fluminense, given just how remarkable Andre has been in the Premier League.
Vitor Pereira has no complaints over how Andre conducts himself, being a player who fuses perfectly with Gomes.
Though Wolves are aware they struck gold with the 23-year-old, the transfer hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows, particularly from a Fluminense point of view.
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To speak about the impact Andre’s departure has had on the Rio de Janeiro-based club, Molineux Newssought the insight of Brazilian journalist and Fluminense supporter, Luiz Eduardo Porto.
“It’s safe to say that indeed we miss him a lot, he’s that special kind of player,” Porto said.
The Vamo Futebol journalist went on to admit that his club are yet to replace Andre, who left a significant void in midfield.
Photo by Ricardo Moreira/Getty Images
Photo by Ricardo Moreira/Getty Images
“When Andre left our squad last August, Fluminense brought the Uruguayan youngster Facundo Bernal to play the number five role – he’s good, but he’s not Andre. To be honest, the club is still struggling to find a starter in that position.”
Though Andre’s departure was somewhat expected, his exit was, and still is, a difficult pill to swallow, particularly after delivering silverware during his penultimate season.
To ensure the Copa Libertadores was won, the 23-year-old rejected the chance to sign for Liverpool in 2023, a transfer snub that Porto opened up about when describing Fluminense’s yearning for their former player.
“From our point of view, Andre is surely missed, not only by the fans, who absolutely love him, but by the team as well.
“Especially that we thought that he would be sold to a Premier League side earlier, back in late 2023, but he stayed. Liverpool tried to sign him in mid-2023, but he refused because he wanted to play the Copa Libertadores with Fluminense.
“In the end, he was crucial to winning the title, the first international honour in the club’s history.”
Peculiar Matt Hobbs decision paid off
Andre eventually made the move to the Premier League, signing for Wolves on deadline day in the summer of 2024.
The Brazilian’s impact has been astonishing, as the numbers show, with Andre performing as one of the Premier League’s best alongside Gomes.
Though there will be no regrets about signing the Brazil international, the signing was rather puzzling at the time, given how well-stocked Wolves were in midfield and how scarce other positions were.
Paying £21m for Andre when a centre-back was desperately needed confused some, but hindsight reveals that Hobbs made the correct call.
When the 23-year-old does eventually move on, it’s almost guaranteed that the Old Gold will earn a healthy profit from his sale – but the West Midlands club have been warned of how much they could miss him.