Wolves’ first Premier League game of the season is almost here, with Manchester City coming to Molineux on Saturday.
Many fans are finding it difficult to embrace the new campaign, as Wolves have not had the best of summers so far, having seen a host of players leave and not won a game in pre-season.
Key stars like Matheus Cunha, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Pablo Sarabia and Nelson Semedo all departed.
And just three new signings have been made so far.
One of those new signings was Jhon Arias from Fluminense, and hopes are perhaps the highest for him out of the three newbies.
Because Arias is more established and experienced, and Wolves hope that his pedigree will improve the team in the final third.
He was a player Pereira directly recommended having seen him playing while managing in Brazil, so Wolves fans everywhere hope that the manager has snagged a top player.
Arias came to Wolves in the middle of the Brazilian season, and Lee Naylor has suggested that is worth taking into account by Pereira.
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Lee Naylor says Jean-Ricner Bellegarde should start over Jhon Arias vs Man City
Jhon Arias warming up for Wolves.
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
Arias has already impressed Wolves fans, having made a couple of appearances in pre-season.
He scored on his debut against Girona, firing home after squeezing beyond a couple of defenders.
He then featured in the final game against Celta Vigo at Molineux at the weekend.
He’s not had too much time with his new teammates – ideally, he would have been brought in for the start of that trip to Girona.
Arias – who is looking to improve his English – has minutes in the legs though, having been playing for Fluminense since the end of March. He also played at the Club World Cup.
But former Old Gold full-back Lee Naylor believes Arias should actually not start Wolves’ opening game against Manchester City having looked a little jaded against Celta.
He said on Matchday Live Extra: “I don’t know if he’s ready. I’d go Bellegarde at the moment. That’s just because I don’t know if he’s fit enough.
“There might be (a bit of tiredness). Of what I’ve seen today, he looked that way. So off the back of that, I’d say Bellegarde (should start over Arias).”
Wolves need Arias against Man City
If Arias is fit enough to start against Manchester City, then he absolutely should.
He is currently Wolves’ marquee signing and given that status it would be baffling if he was left out of the starting XI on a tactical basis.
We’ve already seen what he can do in pre-season, and he’s a player Pereira specifically wanted to bring in.
Wolves manager Vitor Pereira watches on against Fulham.
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
If there are no fitness issues he will surely start in that left 10 position.
But that doesn’t mean Bellegarde will definitely be on the bench – the Frenchman may move over the right side and start over Fer Lopez and Marshall Munetsi.
But undoubtedly Wolves need Arias starting against City. It’s going to be a very tough game, and the Colombian clearly has the quality to improve the starting XI.