The former Wolves loanee played a starring role as PSG and Bayern Munich put on a nine-goal Champions League thriller. At football clubs, there will always be transfers that work and transfers that do not work. In terms of the latter, there will be players who arrive with ability, fail to make the grade, and then do not hit the heights many predicted. However, from time to time, players who do not make the grade at one club go on to excel elsewhere. When it comes to former Wolves loanee Vitinha, he can certainly be filed under that category.
The Loan Spell at Wolves
The midfielder became the latest Portuguese talent to arrive at Molineux in 2020, signing a season-long loan from Porto. Wolves held an £18 million option to sign him permanently if his loan went well. Porto were forced to move him on due to UEFA's financial fair play rules, and there was hope they could cash in on a future deal. But after one season in the West Midlands, he was off. He very much flattered to deceive at Molineux, making 22 appearances, registering just one assist, and scoring only once. Granted, that goal was a memorable one: a superb individual strike in an FA Cup win at non-league Chorley. There were occasional impressive displays, including in a Black Country derby draw at West Brom. However, at the end of his loan spell, the decision was made not to take up the option to buy Vitinha. At the time, it was viewed that the deal simply was not worth it.
Endorsement and Return to Porto
When he arrived at the club, he was backed to excel and kick on in the Premier League. He received a ringing endorsement from former Porto teammate Luis Mata, who said: “Vitinha really has a lot of quality and enormous potential. Step by step, and by gaining confidence in a different country and in a very demanding league, I believe he will be very successful at Wolves. He will do beautiful things at Wolves.” Safe to say, he did not do beautiful things at Molineux. He returned to Porto and completed a domestic double before a big-money move to French and European giants Paris Saint-Germain arrived. They paid £34 million for the failed Wolves loanee, and he has not looked back. Nine domestic titles and a Champions League later, he is regarded as one of their most important players. He featured in the 5-4 thriller against Bayern Munich, a far cry from the days away at Chorley.
Why It Did Not Work at Wolves
If Vitinha had arrived at Wolves this season, he would have walked into their midfield. Things were different back in 2020, though. They had Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho. Game time was always going to be difficult, as former boss Nuno explained in an interview after his departure. However, he did state that the experience at Wolves played a part in his development since then. He said: “He is an amazing player. In Portugal we are fortunate to have players like him and Joao Neves. For sure his time at Wolves was important because he brought things to his game that you cannot find anywhere outside the Premier League. The physicality, the intensity of the game improves the players. Everybody saw the talent was there. Then you have to consider the impact of the physicality. We signed him when he was 20, and he was just getting used to the senior level, which was a big impact. And I have to be honest with you: we had Joao Moutinho, another amazing player. Sometimes young players who join can have the talent, but sometimes it is about the coach who makes the decisions. At that time, the midfield was Moutinho and Ruben Neves, so it was not easy for Vitinha. But he played a lot of games, went back to Porto and his level started rising and rising, improving. Now it is a joy to see how he is doing at PSG.”
The Perfect Midfielder
At PSG, the former Wolves man is loved by the supporters and has received high praise from PSG boss Luis Enrique, who called him “the perfect midfielder.” Back in February, he said: “He is unique. In possession, he is vital for us in his pivot role, he manages the ball perfectly, he does not lose it, and brings a lot to the team. He is strong physically, mentally, and he plays a difficult and complicated role in the PSG midfield. He embodies the perfect midfielder.”
