Wolves and Diogo Jota have hit some form in the past few weeks – and skipper Conor Coady has had no hesitation in heaping praise on the young forward.
With the Portuguese attacker being a consistent player for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side since the summer of 2017, it can be easy to forget that the striker is just 23-years-old.
For a player of his age, he often goes under the radar at Wolves with other quality players such as Raul Jimenez, Adama Traore and Ruben Neves taking the fair share of the limelight. However, five goals in two games have made many stand up and notice as the club etches towards the final 16 of the Europa League and also towards the Champions League spaces.
Jota managed to score a hat-trick against Espanyol as they won 4-0, and also bagged twice against Norwich just a few days later as they beat them 3-0.
This has left Wolves within five points of fourth place, and within two points of fifth – a position which could well be enough to secure Champions League football as long as Manchester City’s UEFA ban is upheld.
With the great form from Jota, skipper Conor Coady has talked about the player, complimenting him not just on his goalscoring prowess but also the work he puts in defensively.
He told the club website: “We know Diogo scores goals, but it’s everything else that he brings to the team; everything out of possession, how hard he works to win the ball back,”
“We saw it numerous times against Norwich, where he’s collecting the ball in his own half and running the full length of the pitch to get us up the field, so he’s a phenomenal footballer and it’s a pleasure to have him here.”
What stage will we reach in the Europa League?
Quarter Final
Round of 16
Semi Final
Final
These are exactly the words you want to hear your captain say about the younger players at the club, and he’s spot on. So far this season he has scored only five goals from 23 games, but he has been a vital part of the team nevertheless. He is capable on playing on the left, just behind, or through the middle, allowing important depth to Nuno.
For someone of his age, his stats for the club of 42 goals and 18 assists in 117 games is remarkable, and they are very lucky to have a player of such calibre at the club.
On the whole, Coady’s words are likely to be a big boost for the player who is already oozing in confidence. He will be hoping that they can inspire him to keep this form up.
