Wolverhampton Wanderers pulled off a major coup when they brought Joao Moutinho to the Premier League from Monaco.
There are certainly comparisons to be made between this Wolverhampton Wanderers side and the Manchester City team of a decade ago.
Like City’s class of 2008, Wolves have ambitious billionaire owners willing to invest big to turn their club into one of the biggest in England and Europe.
The Black Country giants have gone from the middle of the Championship to ninth in the Premier League since Fosun International completed their takeover in 2016 and their progress looks set to continue.
Wolves have brought in a number of big-name players in that time, too, with Joao Moutinho arriving for £5 million from Monaco this summer. And the Portugal international certainly believes there is a big future on the way at Molineux.
“All the clubs want to be the best club in the world. Manchester City are one of those clubs. Maybe 10 years ago, they were like us,” 32-year-old Moutinho told the Express and Star.
“If we do good things, I think it’s easier for the club to spend more money on more very good players – and it’s easier for players to want to come here.”
Manchester City gradually developed into one of the most feared sides in European football after their takeover by Sheik Mansour a decade ago, initially bringing in the likes of Robinho and Carlos Tevez and forcing their way into the Champions League. Ten years later, they are the favourites to win Europe’s premiere club competition.
So Wolves have a long way to go to match City’s progress.
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