Wolves have seen a new wave of stars emerge under Gary O’Neil, with the manager now told that one of his best players shows shades of former Molineux great, Diogo Jota.
It’s been a strong first season at Molineux for Gary O’Neil, who took charge of Wolves under difficult circumstances last summer just days before the 2023/24 campaign opener.
When Julen Lopetegui departed the club due to his concerns over the strength of the squad as a result of financial restrictions, there was a feeling that it could be a challenge for O’Neil to even keep the team he inherited in the top flight.
The 40-year-old has defied the odds in his first spell in the Midlands, pushing Wolves towards challenging for a European finish before successive injuries exposed the lack of depth in his squad.
Part of the reason for the manager’s success so far is the way he sets up the squad, with a host of players showing their best form in a Wolves shirt under O’Neil, one of which being Matheus Cunha.
Why Wolves star Matheus Cunha has been likened to Diogo Jota
Taking to the Wolves Weekly podcast, host Mikey Burrows and former Wolves left-back Barry Douglas spoke highly of Cunha and likened him to Nuno Espirito Santo’s jewel, Diogo Jota.
Burrows said: “I’ve likened him in the past to Jota, and the way that Diogo used to run at people and beat them, he’s very direct.”
To which Douglas agreed, saying: “The few games that I’ve seen of him, he just looks so powerful and direct. Like you said about how Diogo used to be, quite raw at times but just so powerful when he’s running.”
It’s a fair piece of analysis from the duo, who have seen first-hand just how potent both Jota and Cunha have been when wearing the Old Gold.
The Brazilian has many attributes that are traceable in Jota’s style of play, particularly their positioning and desire to run at the opposition, with the Portugal international finding sanctuary playing centrally just behind the number nine.
The same can be said about Cunha, who has finally started to find his feet at Molineux in O’Neil’s system, being taken away from leading the line to playing in the pocket slightly behind.
Matheus Cunha would hope to replicate the success of Diogo Jota in the Premier League
Jota, who has 56 Premier League goals to his name representing both Wolves and Liverpool, had an unforgettable campaign back in the infamous 2017/18 calendar in the Championship, where he played his best football for the Midlands club.
Cunha, who only arrived at the club in January 2023, is still at the start of his career in England and is already showing signs that he could follow in similar footsteps to Jota, who has adapted well to playing in the Premier League.
With his brace against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, Cunha recorded a scoring tally of over 10 goals for the first time in his career in Europe, telling of how much he is thriving in O’Neil’s system.
Only time will tell if the 24-year-old will reach the levels of Jota in the Premier League, with there being no doubt that he has the capability to reach such capacity.