‘I just want to play’: £42m Wolves star makes honest admission after 3-1 win over Rennes

Matheus Nunes has admitted he doesn’t actually mind operating in wider position for Wolves – for him, it is simply about playing.

Wanderers rounded off their pre-season in style yesterday with a 3-1 win over Rennes at Molineux.

The maestro showed off his technical brilliance for Wanderers and was at the heart of everything.

It was a brilliant sight to see.

Nunes disappointed too often in his first season. There were flashes of brilliance, but the general consensus was that he lacked consistency.

Nunes spoke after the game about being played in wider positions for Wolves.

But his speed with the ball and his dribbling ability make him an option to almost play as a winger at times.

Some don’t feel this gets the best of Nunes.

But the player himself doesn’t mind being asked to play in that role.

He said (Express & Star): “We are human beings, we have to adapt in every sense. Of course, I love playing my position, but the biggest thing is to play, whether it’s as a goalkeeper or striker, I just want to play.

“Initially it’s hard, especially if it’s a position I haven’t played before, so I have to learn quickly. As three or four games go by, you’re used to it already. I have played on the wing, as a ten, deeper, so you have to adapt

“I enjoy playing my position. But at the end of the day I’m playing and that’s what counts for me. Playing on the wing asks you different things than when I’m playing my position. But I try to be truthful to the way I play.

“I try to make them enjoy my football, sometimes it doesn’t go the way I want, but I can adapt to any position the coach wants me to play and I can offer things in every position.”

Matheus Nunes can make it work on the wing

Nunes has the capacity to play from the wing.

Ideally though, he will drift inside so that he can affect the game more, with Nelson Semedo or Matt Doherty providing width. We saw that yesterday against Rennes when he moved into that inside right channel.

It’s tricky because Wolves have two excellent central midfield players in Joao Gomes and Mario Lemina.

And then, there is Matheus Cunha and Pablo Sarabia who are both capable of playing in the number 10 role.

So it’s understandable Nunes gets shunted out to the right.

But it’s something that could work if the right-back bombs on, allowing Nunes to come inside.

Thankfully, Nunes himself doesn’t seem to mind and hopefully he will eventually become more accustomed to it.

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Steve Bull wants to see Fabio Silva given a proper chance at Wolves this season.

The 21-year-old has been a big talking point for Wanderers fans over the last few weeks.

He’s come back to the club after loan spells with Anderlecht and PSV Eindhoven last season.

So far in pre-season, he’s been given a handful of opportunities by Julen Lopetegui, who is said to be impressed by the youngster’s attitude.

Silva’s future has been up in the air during the summer.

So far in pre-season, he’s been given a handful of opportunities by Julen Lopetegui, who is said to be impressed by the youngster’s attitude.

Silva’s future has been up in the air during the summer.

Bull sees big potential in Silva. And he thinks it’s now time for Lopetegui to put his trust in the youngster.

He wrote in his latest Express & Star column: “I was impressed with Fabio Silva against Luton – he’s come back very, very sharp.

 

“He looks strong, looks like he wants to be part of the team, so I would definitely give him a chance.

“Silva stood out for me. I prefer playing two up front and I think Sasa (Kalajdzic) and Silva combined well against Luton.

After Luton, Silva was back in action for Wolves in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Rennes.

After that game, Silva declared on social media that he loved the vibe at Molineux, fuelling speculation he could stay put.

It’s Fabio Silva’s time to shine at Wolves – he has strong backing from the fans

It really does now feel like it’s Silva’s time to shine at Molineux.

Raul Jimenez has left the club, and he has looked great in pre-season so far. It is clear that the loan spells he had last season have really helped him to develop.

Wolves could yet sell the youngster. It would appear that the current financial situation is very much dictating things right now, much to the frustration of Lopetegui.

He just looks like he’s ready to go again for Wolves.

And he’s got a wave of support behind him. The reception he’s had from the fans in pre-season has been brilliant, and he has clearly appreciated this.