The Wolves manager faces a tough decision as they prepare for their next match against Sheffield United. Despite the surprising success they’ve enjoyed recently, including a remarkable win against Manchester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers have exceeded their fans’ expectations in the Premier League this season, and their manager, Gary O’Neil, is rightfully receiving praise for his work at Molineux.
O’Neil took charge of the team during a turbulent period, with key players like Ruben Neves leaving in the summer and former manager Julien Lopetegui resigning due to financial concerns. Despite these challenges, the former AFC Bournemouth boss has guided the team to a 12th place in the Premier League standings, and one player who has been instrumental in this success is attacker Pedro Neto.
However, the Wolves’ Portuguese star is currently unavailable for the upcoming match against Sheffield United due to an injury he sustained against Newcastle United. Everyone associated with the team hopes that Neto’s hamstring injury won’t keep him sidelined for long, as he is crucial to O’Neil’s tactics when fully fit.
Neto’s contributions this season have been remarkable. He leads the Premier League in assists with seven from ten games, making him a key figure in Wolves’ attacking play and goal-scoring.
In a recent match against AFC Bournemouth, Neto had a significant impact with 75 touches, and his efforts led to crucial attacking plays, including setting up a goal by Matheus Cunha. His absence against Sheffield United will be sorely felt, and O’Neil is searching for a suitable replacement within his squad.
One potential solution to fill the void left by Neto is Pablo Sarabia, despite the fact that the 31-year-old has yet to score a goal for the team this season. Sarabia showcased his creativity in a recent EFL Cup match against Blackpool, where he assisted in three of the five Wolves’ goals, demonstrating his potential to offer creativity from a midfield position.
Sarabia’s versatility is another asset, as he can play as a winger if needed. His primary position during his time at Paris Saint-Germain was on the right wing, where he scored the majority of his goals. O’Neil might choose to deploy Sarabia in the absence of Neto, hoping that a rare first-team start will rejuvenate the midfielder and allow him to shine as a creative force, similar to his performance against Blackpool.
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