Wolves must unleash Vitinha again this weekend | OneFootball

This has been a season to forget for Wolves and after being mauled 4-0 by Burnley a couple of weeks ago, it only went from bad to worse.

The Old Gold didn’t bounce back with a win against neighbours West Brom but it was still an encouraging performance nonetheless.

With injuries rife in the Wolves squad, Nuno Espirito Santo took the decision of handing out opportunities to some of the club’s younger players.

On the chalkboard

Their attack had a refreshing feel to it last weekend against the Baggies. Nuno fielded Fabio Silva in attack and behind him was a vibrant trio of Adama Traore, Owen Otasowie and Vitinha.

Traore has returned to form in recent weeks with a goal and two assists in his last five outings, while Silva is now among the goals too. That said, it was Vitinha who arguably stole the show in the middle of the park.

Daniel Podence was rightfully dropped from the starting XI after two dismal showings and was replaced by the dynamic loanee.

Vitinha has rarely been seen this season, starting just three times in the top flight since swapping Porto for Wolverhampton. He has played only 361 league minutes but you sense that number will dramatically increase between now and the end of the season.

The Old Gold have an option to buy the 21-year-old and they’d be foolish if they turned it down.

Nuno needs to take the opportunity in the remaining weeks of the season to unleash him more often. If Vitinha hasn’t already proven he deserves to be at Molineux next term, this should be the chance to end any counter-arguments.

He appears to have all the tools necessary to become a star at Molineux. Compared to Joao Moutinho, the youngster has creativity in abundance.

Against West Brom last weekend, he produced four key passes, more than anybody else on the field. Vitinha also completed 90% of his passes and registered three dribbles, proving how impressive his ball-carrying can be.

Speaking recently, Nuno commented: “We are pleased with Vitor. He’s a young player, but full of talent and quality.”

We shouldn’t be surprised by his performances, however. He starred for Portugal in the group stages of the Under-21 European Championships during the last international break, creating chances and dribbling past players at a similar rate.

Blessed with clever feet and an eye for a pass, he could be the key to providing more goal-scoring opportunities to a laboured forward line at Molineux.

AND in other news, Forget Kilman: Wolves should unleash “outstanding” rarely-seen 18 y/o instead…