Wolves have agreed a €15 million deal with Braga for Rodrigo Gomes tying him down under contract until 2029 as they beat Spanish giants Atletico Madrid to the signing.
Gomes impressed last season while on loan at Estoril where he scored seven goals and assisted seven in 30 league appearances, helping the Canarinhos to a 13th place finish in Liga Portugal.
With rumours of current Wolves winger Pedro Neto on the cusp of a move away from Molineux this summer, analogies between the two Portuguese wingers are inevitable.
However, Wolves fans should steer clear of the comparisons for now as the new signing may not be coming in to take a starting spot.
Despite Wolves’ previous FFP troubles, they are now in a position where they are not under pressure to sell, meaning Gomes could be brought in as additional depth to a depleted frontline which we saw last season through injuries, rather than a replacement for Neto.
Modern day football has taught us that versatility is an attribute in itself, however the question on every Wolves fan’s lips is what position gets the best out of Gomes.
What is Gomes’ best position?
The 20-year-old appeared in 30 Liga Portugal games this season, applying his trade from all over the pitch in different positions, in different formations.
Estoril started the first five games of the season in a traditional 4-3-3 formation, as Gomes only started once, in a left-wing position and contributed to no goals.
They started the season in poor form which led to Vasco Seabra reforming his side to a 3-4-3 formation which suited Gomes as he could show off his defensive and attacking qualities.
He became a mainstay in the Estoril side since the reform as he started every game possible for the rest of the league season, only suspension and loan clauses stopped him from starting every game.
Due to the new formation, Gomes fitted in at right-midfield, almost as a right wing-back where Wolves defender Nelson Semedo played last campaign as he enjoyed a successful season.
As well as playing 15 games from right midfield, he also played 13 times on the left side and just once from right-wing and once from right-back; one position stood out as his best.
11 (four goals and seven assists) of his 14 goal contributions came from playing right-midfield in the 3-4-3 formation, which bodes well for Wolves fans as star-striker Matheus Cunha will be able to profit from the assisting service from Gomes.
Links of a move away from Wolves for Semedo have slowed down since he was awarded Wolves’ 2023/24 Players’ Player Of The Season, which almost puts down the thought that Gomes could be brought in to play right-midfield, unless Wolves boss Gary O’Neil is thinking of a new-look side, in which case no one will know where Gomes will fit in for now.
How will he fit in at Wolves?
As O’Neil also changed to a 3-4-3 formation mid-season, Gomes would most likely fit in on the right side in front of Semedo, operating as a right-winger, most likely for now as cover for Neto.
If the Wolves boss is thinking the young winger can provide competition for a starting spot, the most logical answer would be a front three of Neto-Cunha-Gomes as we have seen the right-hand side gets the best from the new signing.
However without goalscorer Hwang Hee-Chan in the side, Wolves will have to find a way to score goals with both Neto and Gomes starting as they are both better at providing goals rather than scoring.
How good is Gomes?
Gomes is undoubtedly one of Portugal’s most promising young players at the moment, he has played at every age group for Portugal since U16 and has impressed since his first national cap.
However he will not be expected to start straight away ahead of the impressive Wolves front three, despite this, we saw the injury problems in the frontline last season so depth up front was certainly a need at Molineux.
During his time at Braga, he played 51 times, scoring only two goals and assisting twice which is obviously unimpressive but playing at a lower level side in Estoril, it really brought out his best form which is hopeful for a side of Wolves’ calibre.
Wolves fans can expect a young, energetic winger who possesses great defensive capabilities as well as more than competent attacking abilities who plays best from the right-hand side in a 3-4-3 formation; Gomes has everything possible to be a success for Wolves.
