In the latest instalment of Introducing, we take a look at why Wolves should be avoiding Atletico Madrid defender Filipe Luis this summer.
Wolves’ approach to the transfer market in recent years has been a largely successful one, exciting fans in the process. Indeed, the strategy of poaching a combination of promising talent and proven experience across Europe has worked wonders, with the likes of Ruben Neves helping win the Championship and the likes of Joao Moutinho ensuring they did well in the Premier League.
Though, that approach may be stretched slightly amid the links to Filipe Luis. According to Goal, Wolves have made an offer for Luis’ services, like Paris Saint-Germain and Flamengo have done too. The Atletico Madrid left-back is out of contract on June 30, so if a move was to happen it would be on a free.
On paper, it sounds slightly ludicrous to turn your nose up at the services of a two-time Europa League winner and a two-time Champions League finalist, but with all factors considered, it seems it is not in Wolves’ best interests to take him on.
Granted, he has the winning mentality required for a group as such and bags of experience in European competition, but for his services on the pitch, he may be better off elsewhere.
The Brazillian international has been a mainstay at left-back barring injuries for Atletico and if he was to move to Wolves, he would have to adapt to the role of a left-wing-back. Given that in the 3-5-2 formation, those wing-back roles are the only wide outlet for Wolves, there would be a lot of attacking onus on him to get forward, yet also to get back and help out defensively to be part of a compact defensive base.
Whether at 33 years of age he has the legs to repeatedly get up and down, that is something that Nuno must take into consideration and judge for himself but he could struggle to perform such a physically demanding role. It’s not as if he pulled up any trees at Chelsea, after all.
That is if he does make it into the side. Wolves already have Jonny Otto and Ruben Vinagre in the left-wing-back role and although neither may have the same level of talent as of yet, perhaps they could.
In fact, for their development at Wolves, Nuno should just continue with the current pairing as there is already the talent and competition levels required in that role.
It may be controversial to suggest turning away such a high-profile potential signing, but for the best interests of the system and the team’s development, it may prove to be the wise decision.
Wolves fans, do you agree? Think Luis is past it? Join the discussion by commenting below…
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