da betcris： Wolves’ spending power has been one of the biggest talking points in the Football League this summer, epitomised by their shock swoop for former FC Porto prodigy Ruben Neves – the youngest captain in Champions League history and a two-cap international for Portugal at just 20 years of age.
da brdice： The shrewdness of the Molineux outfit’s exciting investments was put to the test on Saturday as they faced the only Championship side to outspend them so far this summer, recently relegated Middlesbrough who have brought in Garry Monk, one of the best managers in the division last season, to conduct an overhaul of a squad that exited the top flight with a whimper.
But as Wolves steered past Boro in a tricky, tight and tetchy season opener that ended in a 1-0 win for the hosts, it wasn’t Neves who ran the show on his Championship debut – rather, midfield partner Romain Saiss.
Another talented player in his own right – albeit, not quite at the level of Neves – the Moroccan international has represented his country on eleven occasions and achieved a ninth-place finish in the French top flight with Angers, making 35 appearances, before moving to the west Midlands last summer.
Although the 6 foot 3 star’s first season with Wolves wasn’t hugely convincing, floating in and out of the side to make only 19 starts in the second tier, he’s begun his second campaign in fine form, putting in a Man of the Match performance against the team many have tipped to claim the Championship title this season.
Indeed, Saiss finished the match with a whopping five tackles and five assists to his name, highlighting his ball-winning ability in midfield, but also made huge contributions in possession as well by completing the most passes – 58 – of any Wolves player, two of which lead to shooting opportunities for his team-mates.
Of course, Wolves fans would prefer to see Neves dominating the engine room going forward, knowing the quality he has and how far his ability can further grow. But perhaps what should excite them most is the idea of Neves and Saiss operating together in the middle of the park. Title-winning midfield, anyone?