Three ways Wolves could line up this season with more Jorge Mendes arrivals

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With Wolverhampton Wanderers gracing the Premier League for the first time since the 2011/12 season there is an understandable excitement flowing around the town.

The side that will turn out in the Premier League in 2018/19 is very different from the one that last won promotion back in 2009/10.

Under Nuno Espirito Santo Wolves looked like world beaters in the Championship. And, with Jorge Mendes pulling the strings in the transfer window, they have attracted some of Europe’s more exciting talents, with more expected to join.

With that in mind, here are three ways we could see Wolves line up next season:

Wolves line up 2018/19 No. 1: Mendes madness

Wolverhampton Wanderers have made some tremendous signings in the last couple of transfer windows. These are the kind of players that most Wolves fans could only have dreamed of half a decade ago but now they could seriously become a force in the top flight.

Super-agent Jorge Mendes has been a massive part of those deals that has seen the likes of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho come through the doors at Molineaux. In fact, the deal that kick-started his career was to broker the move for current Wolves manager Nuno from Vitória de Guimarães to Deportivo de La Coruña and the rest, as they say, is history.

If we include the players he has helped bring to the club in a single line up then it would be very attacking and highly creative.

Between the sticks, fresh from his return from World Cup duty with Portugal would be Rui Patricio. The ex-Sporting stopper has signed a four year deal with the club.

A back four consisting of Willy Boly and Romain Saiss in the centre would be flanked by Ruben Vinagre on Jonny Castro on the right. The full-back is currently playing for Celta de Vigo in LaLiga, but it has been reported that Mendes could be masterminding yet another transfer: a move to Atletico Madrid would be swiftly followed by a loan to Wolves, allowing for Jonny to slot in amongst our most adventurous XI inspired by the super agent.

In the centre of the midfielder Ruben Neves and another imminent arrival, Joao Moutinho, would control the game from deep. They would provide ample service for the wingers Diogo Jota on the left and Helder Costa on the right with their fantastic range of passing, resulting in a more direct, fast-paced style of play.

The two men to lead the line for Wolves would be Leo Bonatini, playing slightly deeper than on loan Benfica striker Raul Jimenez.

On paper a fantastic team yet probably too open for Mr Epsirito Santo to consider. We may see it should they end up having to chase a game.

Wolves line up 2018/19 No. 2: If it ain’t broke don’t fix it

Last season the Black Country club found success with the 3-4-3 formation and they have lined up this way in all of their pre-season friendlies so far.

In net would be none other than Rui Patricio. Despite John Ruddy’s excellent 2017/18 season, he simply can’t compete with the player named Goalkeeper of the Tournament at Euro 2016.

Playing this formation the back three would consist of Willy Boly, Conor Coady and last season’s unsung hero Ryan Bennett.

Protecting the back line would be Romain Saiss, the Moroccan star was excellent last season and would easily make the step up a level. Partnering him in the centre would be Ruben Neves, a man Wolves fans will be delighted to see playing Premier League football still wearing the black and gold.

On the left would be Scottish international and set-piece wizard Barry Douglas while on the opposite flank Matt Doherty would rule the roost. Should Moutinho and Jonny arrive from Monaco and Atletico Madrid (via Celta Vigo) respectively, they would provide excellent depth to maintain Santo’s preferred system.

The front three, which is brilliantly interchangeable, would see Helder Costa on the right and Diogo Jota on the left giving Leo Bonatini the job of leading the line in the centre. Other players that could easily slot into this system would be striker Raul Jimenez and winger Ivan Cavaleiro who would be a more than adequate replacement for Costa. Cavaleiro could even replace Bonatini, allowing for Jota to be depolyed in a more central role as he has done in pre-season.

Wolves line up 2018/19 No. 3: Premier League survival

Many sides to be promoted from the Championship have struggled to survive against the more clinical attacks of Premier League clubs. Wolves will be no different and against the top six sides, or when on the road, Espirito Santo could turn to a 5-3-2 formation.

Again, Rui Patricio keeps his place. The Portuguese stopper will be his number one choice and will take some dislodging.

In the centre of a back five, there would be Conor Coady, Willy Boly and Ryan Bennett with Boly encouraged to step out of that trio to close down space.

At left-wing-back would be Barry Douglas or the equally capable Ruben Vinagre. Matt Doherty would fill the right-wing-back role and both would be expected to provide an option out wide on the counter-attack.

The three in midfield would see Romain Saiss protect the defence whilst the Mendes-inspired duo of Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves provide the creativity and control.

Diogo Jota would sit just behind new signing Raul Jimenez with both Costa and Bonatini giving options off the bench.

Whatever happens in the 2018/19 season Wolves fans are bound to be taken on a rollercoaster ride, one which they will never forget. Should even more high-profile signings arrive, they may have Jorge Mendes to thank for it.

The post Three ways Wolves could line up this season with more Jorge Mendes arrivals appeared first on Squawka News.



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