Vitinha is turning into a ‘remarkable footballer’ at FC Porto with the midfielder’s agent relieved that Wolverhampton Wanderers did not exercise their option to keep him in the Premier League, speaking to A Bola.
It’s not often a player is less famous than his agent.
But, if Vitinha continues to develop at such a formidable rate at the Estadio do Dragao, the Portugal U21 international will be following in Deco’s ethereal footsteps sooner rather than later, making a name for himself at the very top of the European game.
Vitinha spent last season on loan at Molineux.
But despite some flashes of quality – including a long-range wondergoal in an otherwise forgettable FA Cup victory over non-league Chorley – Wolves decided against triggering the £17 million option-to-buy clause in his contract.
Much to Deco’s relief.
“He is a remarkable footballer,” says the former Porto, Chelsea and Barcelona playmaker, who now represents the interest of some of the game’s most exciting Portuguese-speaking talent, including Vitinha and Leeds United winger Raphinha.
“(Vitinha) shows enormous maturity despite being very young. He reads the game like no one else. When he manages to combine all these qualities, he makes Porto unstoppable. Always setting the rhythm.”
Will Wolves regret not signing Porto star Vitinha?
Vitinha made the difference in Porto’s 2-0 victory over Arouca last weekend. He scored the opener as Sergio Conceicao’s side maintained their six-point lead over reigning champions Sporting Lisbon in the Primeira Liga table.
“Do the fans say that Vitinha has a way of playing like mine? Personally, I don’t like comparisons,” Deco adds.
“All players have their potential and their way of seeing football. In this specific case, I see a true star, a player with enormous potential. (I was) happy when Wolves did not exercise their option to buy for him!
“FC Porto clearly benefitted from this and gained an asset for their squad.”
Vitinha is not the only former Wolves starlet thriving back home in Portugal.
Pedro ‘Pote’ Goncalves, released by the Black Country giants in 2019, fired Sporting to their first Primeira Liga title in 20 years last season.
He even provided 23 goals from central midfield, earning his ‘new Bruno Fernandes’ nickname.
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