BBC Sport pundit Danny Murphy has been left raving over Joao Moutinho’s performances for Wolves this season as he names him among his Premier League players of the year.
The Portuguese international was one of a number of new arrivals at Molineux last summer and has featured in every single one of Nuno Espirito Santo’s squads for their league games, starting 30 and appearing as a substitute in the other three.
Murphy seemed to suggest that there may have been doubters over the 114 cap star moving to the top flight at the age of 31 but insists he has silenced anyone questioning his ability.
Writing his verdict for who deserves to be considered for the Premier League’s player of the season, he said on the BBC Sport website: “I think it is good to recognise players from outside the top six, and as a former midfielder myself I am a big fan of Joao Moutinho.
“Wolves have had a great season and for an older guy to come to the Premier League at 32 with his kind of hunger and blossom like he has, is great to see.”
Opinion
Moutinho was a big name capture for Wolves but might have been expecting to play a squad role at Molineux rather than being the mainstay he has turned out to be. His partnership with the likes of Ruben Neves and Leander Dendoncker has been crucial to the club’s success this season and it is looking like a masterstroke from Nuno to have sealed his capture. He is obviously not going to stick around forever at 32-years-old but his experience will have been invaluable to the likes of fellow countryman Neves. He is very much a left field choice for the Premier League player of the year but surely an unsung hero that Murphy is absolutely right to single out for praise. There are plenty of Moutinho’s teammates who can consider themselves among the top performers outside the top six this season and it gives the club a great platform to build upon for next season.