BBC pundit: Premier League clubs racing to sign Wolves’ ‘best player’ after what he did vs Newcastle
Clinton Morrison was impressed with what he saw from Joao Gomes in Sunday’s draw between Wolves and Newcastle United.
Crystal Palace have been linked with Gomes, with the midfielder among several players being watched at Molineux.
Rob Edwards‘ team are facing almost certain relegation from the Premier League this season, but have looked to show some fight in recent weeks.
Wolves beat West Ham 3-0 at the start of January – their very first Premier League win of the campaign so far, and, after Sunday’s result, they are now without a loss in five games across all competitions.
18-year-old Mateus Mane has been a big part of Wolves’ recovery in recent weeks, with the starlet among those being tracked.
Clinton Morrison touts Joao Gomes for summer move
Saturday’s match was one of few chances, with Newcastle held by a combative Wolves side.
The visitors’ best chances came in the final 20 minutes, after Edwards had decided to substitute Gomes – a decision Morrison was baffled by.
| Joao Gomes | Vs Newcastle United |
| Minutes played | 71 |
| Accurate passes | 24/27 |
| Chances created | 3 |
| Tackles | 4 |
| Blocks | 1 |
| Recoveries | 4 |
| Duels won | 6/13 |
The Brazilian midfielder enjoyed a superb 71 minutes, making more tackles than anyone else on the pitch and creating three chances.
The 24-year-old is among the shining lights for Wolves, and it showed again on Sunday as he held his own against the strong midfield trio of Sandro Tonali, Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes.
Gomes’ presence was felt most after he had been substituted, with Wolves instantly losing grip of the midfield battle.
Speaking live on BBC Radio 5 live on Sunday, Morrison expressed his bemusement at the decision.
“I don’t get these changes,” the former Crystal Palace forward said. “I think he is Wolves’ best player and I think they need to keep him on the pitch.
“If there is clubs looking [at Wolves], they will be looking to sign him because he is outstanding.”
What Rob Edwards has said about Gomes
Gomes is reportedly a target of Man United for the summer, and several other Premier League clubs will be tracking him as well.
The Brazilian arrived from Flamengo in 2023 and is reportedly under contract until at least 2030, meaning Wolves will not be keen to accept a cut-price deal.
Speaking about the 24-year-old after Wolves had narrowly lost to Arsenal in December, Edwards said: “He’s an important player, he’s really good and I thought he was excellent tonight.
“I thought his timing of when to go, some of his regains were brilliant. He was aggressive at the right times and then he gave us a little bit of either a counter-attacking option or a bit of calm and was able to give us a little bit of the ball and take this thing out of the game.”
Unfortunately, Wolves fans may need to enjoy Gomes while they can, with a storm of interested clubs seemingly on their way.