Top class! Half-term report on Wolves' Portuguese stars

Diogo Jota

With the incredible tenacity, work-rate and raw ability he has, Jota was, and has been, nothing short of an outstanding signing for Wolves and, with the wealth of experience he already had when he first joined the club at the deceptively young age of 20, the impact he’s had doesn’t come as a surprise.

He is one of Wolves’ most productive players this season, contributing nine goals and four assists in the Championship alone, and he’s already become a real fan favourite.

He’s got the confidence, technique and footballing brain to thrive at Wolves, and working under a manager he knows so well in Nuno has surely been an overriding factor in helping him adapt to the league quickly and slot into the side perfectly right from the get go.

It was never expected to be an issue, but the only minor concern regarding Jota was whether he could adapt to the physicality of the Championship – and it’s fair to say that on several occasions he has been targeted by the opposition, being exposed to some very rough treatment in a desperate bid to intimidate him and put him off his game.

But it doesn’t seem to have fazed him as he continues to perform to a high standard on a weekly basis.

He cannot be praised enough for his maturity and effort so far this season, which has been matched with great performances and, fundamentally, results.

Grade: A

Ruben Neves

The signing of Neves was scarcely believed by a large portion of Wolves fans, and he arrived with a budding reputation that justified both the expenditure and excitement dedicated to his looming transfer.

Still one of the sport’s biggest and most exciting prospects for the future, his arrival was synonymous with the optimism surrounding the club at the time, serving as a statement of intent from the club and of the progress being made in a bid to achieve the ultimate goal of promotion.

In the light of anticipation and intense scrutiny, his performances were exactly as we had all hoped and expected – he has been pulling the strings in the middle, spraying the ball about the pitch with unrivalled grace.

Wolves are not the same side without him, and he’s already proved he’s worth every penny – and more – of his transfer fee.

As is the case with so many of these young Portuguese Wolves, his experience, maturity and general ability vastly outweighs his youthful age, and the fact he captained Porto on the biggest European stage at the age of 18 is testament to that.

He’d get into the starting eleven of the vast majority of Premier League sides, and he’ll be playing for one next season.

It has been suggested that moving to Wolves has hindered Neves’ opportunity of going to the World Cup.

Such a statement should be disputed, and there is a genuine case that this move has actually improved his chance of national representation considerably, with regular game time of upmost importance for Portugal manager Fernando Santos.

That said, there just seems to be too much talent in Portugal’s central midfield to accommodate another creative midfielder such as Neves, and it’s difficult to see him getting called up barring an injury.

No doubt he’ll be back in the national side in the future though – potentially even as captain one day. Fundamentally, his time at Wolves has done him no harm at all.

Grade: A

Ruben Vinagre

Vinagre was a particularly interesting signing, due in part to him being, upon arrival, much more of an unknown quantity than his compatriots.

As an 18 year old who was yet to play a senior football match, this was likely seen as quite a surprising loan with little known about what he’d bring to the table.

However, having had the privilege of watching him play a crucial role in helping Portugal win the U17 European Championship in 2016, it was easy to become a huge admirer of this exciting young player and see that he fully deserved a crack at first-team football.

And he’s proved as much with the class and energy he’s brought to the football pitch with Wolves, displaying some exciting attacking football and a real willingness to take on his man and join the attack, his memorable goal against Burton a real reflection of, and reward for, his attacking desire.

The only real issue is the defensive side of his game, which does have plenty of room for improvement - though Nuno’s coaching influence is likely to really help develop this area of this game and improvements in this department should become evident.

While he hasn’t played regularly, when he has, he’s always looked impressive and, for an 18 year old, never looks out of place or out of his depth. In terms of his international aspirations, the European Championship in 2020 is a genuine prospect for this young star, so long as he continues to progress, improves his defensive game and gets game time.

He’s a future international, that much is sure, and if Wolves can bring him in permanently, they’ll have their hands one of Portugal’s biggest prospects.

Grade: B

Roderick Miranda

Oddly enough, despite all the genuine Portuguese talent currently plying their trade in Wolverhampton, Roderick Miranda likely arrived at the club with the most realistic prospect of representing Portugal at next year’s World Cup, with the national team’s centre back situation more than a little concerning.

There are three great centre backs still available to Fernando Santos and Portugal, but all are aged 33 or above, which is far from ideal with no obvious successors yet to be established.

But Miranda has performed to a standard that he was likely expected to; generally solid, gets on with the job at hand - but nothing spectacular.

Once deemed a certain future centre back for the national team by the Portuguese press, Miranda’s now 26 and yet to live up to those lofty heights. And the fact he’s not currently getting into the starting eleven for Wolves – who of course play with 3 centre backs – is a little concerning.

Still time for him to still make it on the international stage though, and Jose Fonte will be of great inspiration to him, who got his first international cap aged 30.

He’ll certainly get another chance in the Wolves first team – he just needs to ensure he stays solid and gains the necessary consistency to stay there.

Fundamentally though, of all the Portuguese players at the club, Miranda is likely the one Wolves could cope best without.

Grade: B

Ivan Cavaleiro

With Helder Costa far from top fitness, Cavaleiro has really stepped for the side and produced a handful of exceptional performances, already grabbing himself a very respectable number of goals and assists this campaign.

He looks like he’s enjoying his football and seems to always show at least a few bursts of quality in every game that are always capable of turning a match on its head. He’s had a significant role in helping Wolves get to the summit and, on his day, he’s absolutely brilliant.

Fundamentally however, consistency seems to have always been an issue with Cavaleiro throughout his career, both at Wolves and before, and this season seems no different, with some excellent performances sometimes followed by quiet ones, and if he can just sustain his top level throughout the season, Wolves will reap the rewards.

There will be no call-up to the national team for Cavaleiro, at least for the foreseeable future. Will he ever add to the two caps he already has for Portugal? With all the talent Portugal have on the wings, it’s very much doubtful. But he’s a great player, and can offer a potential spark and burst of energy in any match.

Grade: A -

Helder Costa

Showing plenty of signs that he’s getting back to how he performed last season, but it’s incredible to think that Wolves have got to where they are in the table largely without their standout performer from the previous campaign.

It’s harsh to judge him negatively considering his omission from matchday lineups due to injuries and lack of match fitness, but there are promising signs that Helder is getting stronger and is on his way back to his exciting, creative self, which will be a huge boost to the squad.

As much of a cliché as it may be, he really will be like a new signing when he’s completely back to his best. And an excellent signing at that.

Grade: C

But set to rocket upwards once he gets back to his usual self

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