There was something very nostalgic about Wolves’ 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday afternoon. Perhaps it was the sight of Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves pulling the strings. Raul Jimenez rolling back the years. Adama Traore slamming a late winner in off the crossbar and partying like it’s 2019.
Julen Lopetegui, the spearhead of a shiny new era at Molineux, needed a bit of help from his old stagers, Traore’s stunner bringing an end to a three-game winless run and putting a calming buffer between themselves and the relegation zone.
But while a bit of nostalgia can be fun now and again, that Spurs triumph was more of a celebratory throwback than a sign of things to come. Moutinho and Traore are out of contract this summer. Jimenez’s future remains uncertain too, while Neves is almost certain to attract his fair share of big bids.
Wolves are a team in transition; their squad made up largely of ageing Nuno stalwarts and up-and-coming newbies. The hope will be that the signings of Nathan Collins, Matheus Nunes, Matheus Cunha, Sasa Kalajdzic, Joao Gomes and Boubacar Traore – all aged 25 or under – should lay the groundwork for a new dynasty to be built upon the foundations of the old one.
Signing a creator is key for Wolves
Interest in Bristol City’s Alex Scott suggests that a creative midfielder is the next task on Lopetegui’s to-do list. But, with interest rising and with the so-called ‘Guernsey Grealish’ already valued in the £25 million bracket, could Wolves shift their focus back to a man who came close to joining a year ago instead?
Brazilian reporter Jorge Nicola, after talking with Pedrinho’s agent, admitted via his YouTube channel that Wolves held ‘advanced’ talks with the Shakhtar Donetsk forward 12 months back. That was until the Premier League blocked any outside-the-window additions from war-torn Ukraine; a move that also prevented Tete’s switch to Southampton.
As such, Pedrinho was forced to return to his native Brazil with Atletico Mineiro instead.
Flash forward to March 2022, and Pedrinho is still on loan at Arena MRV. But not for much longer. His deal expires in July. And the chances are that he will be looking for another new home, a return to Shakhtar seemingly unlikely.
Pedrinho’s future uncertain
“He is a very talented player,” Atletico president Rodrigo Caetano tells Radio Itatiaia.
“You know our financial situation. It is difficult, but we are going to try to extend his loan. I hope we succeed, but it is difficult for me to say 100 per cent that he will stay.”
Pedrinho, a Portuguese speaker renowned for his creative talents and technical ability, would fit in nicely at an Iberian-influenced, goal-shy Wolves side. The 24-year-old, £16 million schemer, Nicola adds, dreams of playing in the Premier League, and may relish the opportunity to become part of Lopetegui’s Old Gold revolution.
Wolves’ XI could look very different from what we are used to a year or two from now; Moutinho, Jimenez and Craig Dawson long gone, Traore, Cunha and Collins in their place. But, with a new creative lynchpin the necessary centre-piece of Molineux rebuild, Pedrinho, Alex Scott or another may be the most transformative addition of all.
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