Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has hailed Wolverhampton Wanderers wing back Matt Doherty as the best player at his position in the Premier League.
The Wolves talisman has impressed hugely in his team’s wonderful season to date, and McCarthy believes he is now an elite top flight player.
“I could argue he’s the best right wing-back in the Premier League,” he told the Express & Star. “He’s the most efficient and he gets goals and he’s been brilliant.
“I’ll take the credit for signing him for £100,000! What a good player he’s turned out to be. He’s taken care of himself, he’s lost weight, he’s trim, leaner and far more professional, I’d imagine, now, and it’s paid dividends.”
OPINION
To be fair to McCarthy, he deserves to pat himself on the back for signing Doherty for just £100,000. The Irishman has been a huge part of Wolves’ rise up the divisions and has gone from strength to strength this season. He is by far the best right wing back in the top flight – although not too many teams play with wing backs these days. But even if there did, Doherty would likely be the outstanding candidate this campaign. He scores goals, creates chances and is a tireless presence on the right hand side of the pitch. Aside from the wing backs there isn’t much width in this Wolves team and so there is a lot of responsibility on Doherty and his counterpart Jonny Castro Otto. However, they have both risen to the challenge this term and have been incredibly consistent for Nuno Espirito Santo’s team. It certainly sounds as if Doherty will add to his five Republic of Ireland caps in the future after McCarthy’s soaring praise.