Wolves appear to have turned a corner after a rocky start to the season, with Gary O’Neil’s side now enjoying a four-game unbeaten run.
Just two matches ago, the Wolves manager faced mounting pressure, but back-to-back wins, including a commanding 4-1 victory over Fulham, have eased the tension around Molineux.
Given the emphatic nature of the Fulham result, many Wolves fans may argue that O’Neil should stick with his winning XI.
However, one player who deserves a place in the starting line-up is Gonçalo Guedes, whose recent form has been nothing short of sensational.
Gonçalo Guedes Making His Mark
Guedes looked to have no future at Wolves after spending the previous season and a half out on loan. But O’Neil made the decision to reintegrate the Portuguese forward during pre-season, and the results have been impressive.
Despite limited minutes this campaign, Guedes has amassed five goal contributions across all competitions. His latest came in dramatic fashion, scoring Wolves’ fourth goal against Fulham in stoppage time, despite being introduced only moments earlier.
This season, Guedes has averaged a goal contribution every 56 minutes – an astonishing figure that surpasses even Erling Haaland’s rate of one every 95 minutes for Manchester City.
Beyond his finishing, Guedes’ creativity has shone. According to Fbref, over the past year, he has averaged 3.5 shot-creating actions, 4.63 progressive passes, 3.43 progressive carries, and boasts a pass completion rate of 76.5%. These metrics place him among the top 20% of forwards globally.
Yet, despite his undeniable impact, Guedes has struggled for consistent game time. Reports suggest the player would be open to a January exit, but regular Premier League starts could change his perspective.
Time to Back Guedes
O’Neil now faces a critical decision ahead of the trip to Bournemouth. While the team excelled against Fulham, there were occasional lapses, particularly from Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Rodrigo Gomes.
Guedes, who is comfortable playing as a winger, could seamlessly slot into one of these roles.
Bournemouth will be weakened by the suspension of Antoine Semenyo, offering Wolves an opportunity to exploit their defence further.
By starting an in-form Guedes, O’Neil not only increases his attacking options but also sends a clear signal to the Portuguese forward that his contributions are valued.
For Wolves, the match against Bournemouth is a chance to maintain momentum, and for Guedes, it could be the platform he needs to truly establish himself as a key player at Molineux.
