Wolves star Ruben Neves has made a rather outlandish claim about the Championship, stating that it is one of the best leagues in the world.
Within an interview with FourFourTwo, the Portuguese sensation discussed his season in the Championship in 2017/18 – where he went onto win Fans’ Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year and make the PFA team of the year.
Nuno Espirito Santo, just 43 at the time, took over the club at the beginning of that season in what was a big coup for Wolves and he instantly used his contact book to bring in some big players.
One of these was, of course, a certain Ruben Neves for a Championship record fee. Just 20 at the time, the player signed a five-year deal in what must have been a pretty big risk for him – and now it certainly looks to have paid off as Wolves push for Champions League qualification and the final eight of the Europa League.
While speaking to the outlet in the April 2020 issue, the 22-year-old revealed the difficulty of playing in the Championship, even stating that playing away was tougher in the second division than it is in the top.
How should the season end?
Totally void the entire season
Finish with the current table
Try and complete it in the summer
He said: “The competitive nature, the aggressiveness, the stadiums and the crowd. Actually, it’s why I think playing away in the Championship was tougher than in the Premier League, because of these atmospheres.
“Sometimes I tell my friends what a great league it is: very competitive, the fans, the atmosphere – it’s all so special.
“I often tell them that the Championship is one of the best leagues in the world. I absolutely loved playing in it.”
For supporters who have had to endure the football league for most of the previous decade, it will be really enjoyable to hear him say these quotes.
We all know how the much of a slug the Championship is. With 46 games in a season, it is not always the best teams that go up, it is the ones who can build momentum at the right times and ride the wave of some good form. Anyone can beat anyone, meaning that you often get stung for complacency in that division.
The fact the 20-year-old who had moved from a Champions League club can go in there and be so dominant is proof of not only his ability but his mentality and dedication.
