Wolves - More than just an ordinary promoted Club

#4 Effect of the Agent

Jorge Mendes (Right most in the picture) is a key personnel in Wolves' resurgence

Jorge Mendes who is better renowned as Cristiano Ronaldo's agent had a significant role to play in Wolves’ rise back to the top. As soon as Chinese takeover was complete, the club opted for the services of charismatic Mendes. The team consisting of Mendes, general manager Andrea Butti and sporting director Kevin Thelwel was assigned the task to structure a Wolves team that was capable of competing at the top level.

It was the outcome of their exercise that 12 players were signed by the club in six weeks in the transfer window of 2016. It was Mendes effect only that Wolves were able to attract Manager Nuno to the English second division stepping down from the glamorous job of Champions League manager at FC Porto.

Swansea City v Wolverhampton Wanderers - The Emirates FA Cup Third Round Replay

Another instance of Jorge’s persuasive powers is Rafa Mir. The 21 years old is regarded as one of the hottest property in Europe. In the first half of 2017-18 season, Mir scored 15 goals in 19 matches playing for the Valencia B side. Despite offers from Real Madrid, the transfer of Rafa Mir to then English second division side, Wolverhampton raised many eyebrows. Ruben Neves, Jonny Castro, Joao Moutinho, Rui Patricio, Raul Jiminez, Helder Costa, and Diogo Jota are some of the other major signings by the promoted club which wouldn’t have been possible without Jorge Mendes.

#3 The Playing Style

Nuno is redefining the ways promoted clubs used to play in the past with Wolverhampton Wanderers

Unlike any promoted football club, Wolverhampton Wanderers have displayed expansive attacking free-flowing style of football. Under the Premier League Manager of the month for September, Nuno, the team has played with supreme confidence against the giant teams like Manchester United, Manchester City, and Everton. The team has played all eight games with the same 3-4-2-1 formation which turns into 5-4-1 when the team is defending.

The most eye-catching feature is the fact that Wolves have placed the same starting lineup in all eight games. Despite shambolic defending against Everton in the first match, not single personnel was altered for over the period of almost three months. Even the club record signing from Middleborough, Adama Traore is made to sit on the bench. This unchanged lineup is the reason for continuously improving the defensive setup. Wolves have now managed to keep clean sheets in 4 out of last 5 matches.

Jonny (Left in the picture) and Matt Doherty (Right in the picture) have been superb for Wolves this season

The fullbacks Jonny and Matt Doherty have received ample appreciation for their defending discipline, undisputable work rate and attacking gallops. The two have been directly involved in one-third of total Wolverhampton goals. The two have contributed 2 assists and 2 goals in first eight games this season.