From Chorley to the perfect midfielder: Why Vitinha’s Wolves loan fell flat | OneFootball

Vitinha’s ascent at Paris St Germain, capped by his starring role in PSG and Bayern Munich’s 5-4 Champions League thriller on Tuesday, contrasts sharply with an underwhelming Wolves loan.

ExpressAndStar.com notes he joined Wolves in 2020 on a season-long loan from Porto, with an £18m option to buy, after Porto moved him on under UEFA financial fair play and eyed a future windfall.

Across 22 appearances he produced one assist and one goal, an outstanding solo effort in an FA Cup win at non-league Chorley. There were flashes, including a Black Country derby draw at West Brom, but Wolves declined to activate the clause.

Had he arrived this season he would have walked into Wolves’ midfield. In 2020 he was behind Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho, limiting minutes. Former boss Nuno said the Premier League’s physicality aided a 20-year-old’s development, while selection calls favoured senior players.

He returned to Porto, won a domestic double, then earned a £34m move to PSG. Since then, nine domestic titles and a Champions League have followed, and he is viewed as integral. Luis Enrique has called him the perfect midfielder, praising his uniqueness, ball retention, and physical and mental strength in a demanding pivot role.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com