Wolves journalist Joe Edwards says he would like to see Vitinha play more this season following his display for the Portugal U21 side.
The 21-year-old midfielder, valued at £5.4m on Transfermarkt, recently played all 90 minutes against their England counterparts in the UEFA European U21 Championship in a game that they won 2-0 on their way to topping their group.
Vitinha has played 15 times for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side this season, of which only five of them were starts, and speaking on the E&S Wolves podcast, Edwards spoke about how impressed he was and that he would like to see more of him between now and the end of the season.
He said: “He was fantastic, and he showed that he’s not just this number 10 playmaker that kind of flits in between the forward line and the midfield. He played as a number six, really, picking up the ball from centre-halves, playing it wide, recycling it in the middle of the park, driving at players when he needed to, creating things going forward, starting off moves, and he really looked the part, he really did.
“It’s just interesting now because it’s been a weird season for Vitinha and we’ve discussed him a few times and I was kind of thinking that maybe the system just doesn’t cater to him and he’s just not right for Wolves in an attack-minded midfield he’s not really catered for, but I think he could be a central midfielder all day long, and to be honest, I’d like to see him given an opportunity now in these final nine games.”
Would you like to see Nuno Espirito Santo playing Vitinha more often?
No, he's not that good
Yes, he's a solid player
TIF Thoughts on Joe Edwards’ comments about Vitinha…
With Wolves’ season more or less over now as they aren’t going to be fighting for either survival or a European spot, most of the attention needs to be placed on what is going to happen next season, and who is likely going to ‘make the cut’.
And with Vitinha only on loan, you could argue that given his lack of appearances he hasn’t been given a fair shot to prove himself. Now though is the perfect time for him to be played, whatever position Santo feels is best for him, the team and the player.
There’s nothing on the line for the club, but there is potentially a career at Wolves on the line for him, and it would be harsh for them to cast him aside without giving him a fair chance.
In other news: ‘I’ve watched him a few times’ – Steve Bull slams ‘lightweight’ £18m-rated Wolves ace