Ruben Neves on Wolves, Nuno and his long term future

Neves joined Wolves from Porto for £15million earlier this month and has already impressed in pre-season.

In an interview with Portuguese sport newspaper O Jogo the 20-year-old says he didn't think twice about joining Wolves.

He also states that having so many Portuguese team mates at Molineux has helped him settle but admits Wolves is a shop window to the Premier League – and in the long term he wants to return to Porto to help them win the league title.

The O Jogo interview has been translated by interpreter Patrick Kendrick (@patrickendrick) and is reproduced in full below.

Did the prospect of playing in the Premier League within a year convince you to move to Wolves?

“Nothing is set in stone in terms of that. We’re all giving 100% to get Wolves to where the club deserves to be. It’s a very competitive league with lots of games to play and everyone will be needed from the youngsters to the more experienced players.”

What has struck you as odd in your first few weeks there?

“Just non-footballing stuff so far like driving on the opposite side of the road. However, besides that the club has wonderful facilities. Plus I haven’t got a car yet so I can’t say whether or not it’ll be difficult!”

Was Nuno the main reason you swapped the Portuguese top flight for the English second tier?

“Yes, I spoke to him before agreeing to join especially because I knew him from last season. That wasn’t my best campaign for FC Porto. I liked the sound of this project and what the gaffer told me. I felt that this was an excellent opportunity to develop as a player.”

Which of Nuno’s arguments were the most convincing?

“First and foremost, the project itself. I’m still young and I know I have to keep developing as a player. Having not played much for the last years at Porto, I thought I needed more minutes to develop and I didn’t think twice about joining Wolves.”

Is Wolves a shop window for the top English clubs?

“Yes, it will be easier to move to the Premier League from here. I’m focused on getting better as a player and this is the right place to do so.”

Having coming through the Porto ranks was this the hardest decision of your career?

“It wasn’t an easy decision. I like the club but I’m a professional and I have to develop. I love FC Porto but I had to keep developing in order to achieve my career goals. I wasn’t playing and I needed a fresh start to recapture the form I showed in my first year with the senior side.”

You were the youngest Porto captain in the Champions League and you came through the academy. Are you sad to have left without making your mark in the first team?

“No, but I want to go back and show even more than I produced last time. I know I still owe the club a lot but there will be more opportunities in the future and people will see everything I’m capable of.”

Do you have anything to prove to anyone?

“No. The people who have allowed me to leave would also like me to succeed at Porto. I hope to go back one day and show what I didn’t manage to in the last two years.”

So you’re not closing the door on a return to Porto?

“No, I want to achieve the targets I set myself and I didn’t win the league at Porto. That’s why I’ll definitely go back to achieve that. That’s one of my career goals.”

Does the £15m price tag bring added responsibility for someone so young?

“I’m not even thinking about that. That doesn’t matter much to players as all you want to do when you join a new club is show what you can do. I hope I won’t be hammered for misplacing a pass, especially in England, where people really get behind their teams.”

Will you get more playing time than you did at Porto?

“There are more matches and everyone will be called upon.”

Nuno didn’t pick you much last season. Did you discuss that before signing?

“I view this as a different season at a different club. I will get chances to play again. Porto are fortunate to have an excellent defensive midfielder in the shape of Danilo who had a great season. I had to train well to push him. We helped each other out but he had an excellent season and it was hard to displace him from the side.”

How did it feel when you first moved abroad?

“It’s been easier than I expected because my team-mates have helped me out a great deal. Having so many Portuguese people on the playing and coaching staff has also helped a lot.”