OPINION
Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno Espirito Santo would do well to hand summer signing Leander Dendoncker his first league start of the season as his side take on Bournemouth on Saturday.
The 23-year-old has played just nine minutes of Premier League football this campaign, but the highly rated Belgian should be given a chance against the Cherries at the expense of centre back Ryan Bennett.
Wolves secured a somewhat fortuitous 2-1 win over Newcastle United last time out, and Nuno must learn the lessons of that game by making four changes.
Aside from Dendoncker replacing Bennett; Joao Moutinho, Morgan Gibbs-White and Raul Jimenez deserve to come in for Romain Saiss, Helder Costa and Adama Traore. Those alterations would give Nuno’s team enough firepower to rip the Cherries apart at Molineux.
Rui Patricio has been a pillar of strength in the goalkeeping position for Wolves this term and is a dead ringer to start on Saturday, while wing backs Matt Doherty and Ruben Vinagre have precious little competition for their places and should start once more.
Conor Coady and Willy Boly have been solid this season, but the tremendous potential of Dendoncker should see him replace Bennett. The Anderlecht loanee is a phenomenal talent and needs to be given a chance at last by Nuno.
Moutinho showed Nuno’s folly in dropping him when he came off the bench against Newcastle last weekend, instantly providing class and composure in the middle of the park. He should resume his partnership with compatriot Ruben Neves in the centre.
Diogo Jota found the net once again against the Magpies and is in terrific form, he must start on the left hand side. Meanwhile, Gibbs-White and Jimenez gave Wolves a boost when they came on last weekend and both men deserve an opportunity to show their skills from the start.