This season, Wolves’ midfielders Joao Gomes and Mario Lemina have averaged 92.8 touches per 90 minutes between them. However, they haven’t quite made a significant impact on games. Together, they make fewer than two progressive passes per 90 minutes and average only 0.33 key passes per 90.
Joao Gomes made 38 appearances for Wolves last season, netting two goals and providing one assist in 2,865 minutes. Mario Lemina featured in 39 games, scoring five goals and adding one assist in 3,261 minutes. While both have shown their value, neither quite reaches the level of Ruben Neves.
Neves was signed by Wolves from FC Porto in 2017 for approximately £15.8 million, setting a record fee for a Championship club at that time. His tenure at Wolves is marked by his significant influence and contributions in the midfield.
At just 20 years old, Ruben Neves was highly valued when he joined Wolves in 2017, largely due to his previous work with Nuno Espírito Santo in Portugal. Described as a “fundamental” player by Jacek Kulig, Neves lived up to that assessment, making 253 appearances for Wolves, scoring 30 goals, and providing 13 assists. His performances secured him a place in the Portugal national team, where he earned 52 caps.
In 2023, Neves was sold to Al-Hilal for £47 million, leaving behind a notable legacy. According to Steve Madeley of The Athletic, Neves was on a “different planet” compared to some of his peers.
Currently, Wolves’ midfield partnership features Joao Gomes and Mario Lemina in a double pivot. Other midfield options include Tommy Doyle, Boubacar Traore, and new signing Andre. The comparison highlights Neves’ significant impact compared to the current midfielders.
Wolves haven’t got off to the best of starts this campaign, losing two of their opening three Premier League games against Arsenal and Chelsea, and drawing their other versus Nottingham Forest, leaving them on just one point after three fixtures.
So, one could argue that they may well lust after Neves. Here’s how he compares to their current options.
| Neves (22/23) vs Lemina vs Gomes (23/24) comparison | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Stats (per 90 mins) | Neves | Lemina | Gomes |
| Goals | 0.14 | 0.14 | 0.06 |
| Progressive Carries | 0.84 | 0.97 | 0.95 |
| Progressive Passes | 6.51 | 2.30 | 3.44 |
| Shots Total | 1.80 | 1.55 | 0.88 |
| Passes Attempted | 62.9 | 44.5 | 43.5 |
| Key Passes | 0.96 | 0.61 | 0.68 |
| Passes into Final Third | 6.03 | 1.97 | 2.48 |
| Tackles | 2.36 | 2.73 | 4.35 |
| Interceptions | 1.54 | 1.22 | 0.63 |
| Blocks | 1.76 | 1.09 | 1.73 |
| Stats taken from FBref | |||
When comparing Ruben Neves to the current Wolves midfielders—Joao Gomes, Mario Lemina, Tommy Doyle, Boubacar Traore, and Andre—it’s clear that Neves excels in several key areas:
Progressive Passes Neves completed 6.51 progressive passes per 90 minutes, nearly double Gomes’ 3.44 and Lemina’s 2.30. Progressive passes are those that move the ball at least 10 meters closer to the opponent’s goal or into the penalty area.
Passes Attempted Neves averaged the most passes attempted, demonstrating his involvement in build-up play.
Key Passes Neves also led in key passes, which are passes that directly lead to a scoring opportunity.
Passes into the Final Third Neves made more than double the number of passes into the final third compared to the current options at Wolves.
These statistics highlight Neves’ superior ability to drive play forward and create opportunities compared to the current midfielders at Wolves.
Whilst Lemina and Gomes offer solid defensive contributions and better carrying ability than Neves (both averaging more progressive carries per 90), the midfield lacks a controller who is assertive with their passing and commands the ball.
That’s something Neves offered in abundance and something we are sure O’Neil would appreciate in this Wolves side.
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