Wolves manager Vitor Pereira has a big decision to make this weekend, with Matheus Cunha available for selection again after serving his four-game ban.
Cunha was red carded against Bournemouth in the FA Cup, resulting in him missing three games.
But Cunha received an improper conduct charge from the FA, meaning his ban was extended to four matches.
Cunha getting the red card left many fans worried.
In the end though, and perhaps surprisingly, Wolves did not miss Cunha. In fact, it was quite the opposite, with Wolves taking 10 points from the four games Cunha missed – data shows no Premier League side took more points in that time.
Cunha is now available for selection for this weekend’s game with Tottenham Hotspur.
Wolves fans have been divided over Cunha start against Tottenham and there are definitely arguments to say he should or shouldn’t.
Why Vitor Pereira should not start Matheus Cunha for Wolves against Tottenham
Pereira should consider not starting Cunha against Tottenham this weekend.
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One thing has been very clear about Pereira since he came in at Wolves, and that is he is a an who places a lot of emphasis on playing as a team.
Cunha has carried Wolves at times this season. And without him, Wolves would be a lot closer to the relegation zone now, or perhaps even be in it.
There is little doubt he is Wolves’ best player.
But the points Wolves took while he was unavailable has to count for a lot.
Alan Shearer felt Wolves actually looked better without Cunha in the team, and it’s hard to argue against that. When Cunha plays, there is, naturally, a tendency to try and find him all the time, even when there’s potentially better options in a phase of play. He cannot produce every single time.
Pereira was full of praise for Marshall Munetsi for how he’s been supporting Jorgen Strand Larsen, and it’s clear the manager really likes what the Zimbabwe international brings to the table. It’s hard to see him being dropped. Ditto Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, who’s been the direct replacement for Cunha in that inside left position.
None of the 11 players who have started the last few games for Wolves deserve to lose their place. Even to accommodate the team’s best player.
And then you have to factor in the longer term.
Realistically, there’s a high chance Cunha leaves Wolves this summer. So Pereira has to use this time to focus on other players who’ll definitely be around.
Furthermore, bringing Cunha back in at the first opportunity just sends out the wrong message – that it doesn’t matter how well you play, you’ll be dropped for a player who is better on paper.
He doesn’t need to risk disrupting the harmony of the dressing room he’s worked so hard to restore, so benching Cunha against Spurs feels like the right call.
Pereira will not be afraid to bench Cunha
He may not have been on the scene for very long, but it’s already clear that Pereira isn’t afraid to make big decisions.
Pereira previously called out Cunha for his body language publicly, which was a fascinating move by the manager.
He also didn’t name Mario Lemina in any matchday squad after his refusal to play for Wolves, until his future was resolved, and also left Craig Dawson out of Wolves’ updated Premier League squad as he didn’t like the defender’s profile. Those things show he’s not afraid to make big calls.
Pereira may well ended up starting Cunha against Spurs. Ultimately, he’ll do whatever he feels gives Wolves the best chance of winning the game.
However, given the recent success of the team and Wolves’ position of safety, starting Cunha this weekend should at least not be a gimme.