If Leo Bonatini doesn’t rediscover his goalscoring touch for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Nuno should consider chop.
You could forgive Wolverhampton Wanderers hitman Leo Bonatini for being secretly relieved at missing a few weeks through injury.
After all, the Brazilian striker was enduring a 12-match barren spell in front of goal and had recently been dropped by manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
With 12 Championship goals under his belt, Bonatini is a big reason as to why Wolves seem to be heading for the Premier League, but if the 23-year-old doesn’t bounce back from his injury in goalscoring style then Nuno should consider cutting him loose this summer.
It would be undeniably harsh on the Al-Hilal loanee, but Wolves should already have one eye on the Premier League and if Nuno allows sentiment to influence big decisions then the Molineux club can expect a swift return to the Championship.
Fact is, Bonatini is inconsistent and even the most consistent of Championship strikers last season – Dwight Gayle and Chris Wood – are struggling in the top flight. It doesn’t bode well for the South American.
It’s a massive step-up in class and if Wanderers pay £5 million (Birmingham Mail) to sign him permanently it should be because of what he can do in the big time, not because of what he did during the first four months of this season.
Wolves fans would be sad to see him go, but they would be a lot more disappointed if he is a passenger next season and taking up space in a squad where everybody must contribute to the huge challenge of staying in the Premier League.
That’s a very real possibility and one that Nuno should consider before buying him.
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