Wolves have been a comparatively low-scoring workforce in recent times, typically relying extra on large defensive performances to win video games. The Outdated Gold have not scored greater than 50 objectives in a Premier League season since 2019/20, registering lower than 40 in three of the final 5 seasons.
One of many gamers who did possess that additional high quality within the attacking third, particularly in counterattacking phrases, was Pedro Neto, who moved to Chelsea for £54m this summer time, with a £51.4m preliminary payment, plus £2.6m add-ons.
Neto made 24 appearances for Wolves final season, scoring three objectives, offering 11 assists, and totalling 1,729 minutes performed. One participant who had all the power to be nearly as good as Neto, however has just lately been bought, is Daniel Podence. Here is what occurred to him…
Daniel Podence at Wolves
Podence first joined Wolves again in 2020, signing from Olympiacos for round £16.9m. In his 4 years on the membership, the Portuguese winger made 108 appearances, scoring 16 objectives and offering 9 assists in 6,027 minutes performed.
At his peak, Podence was valued at €25.00m (round £21m) in line with Transfermarkt again in 2020/2021. However it has been steadily declining since then, now reaching simply round £11m.
The 28-year-old now finds himself enjoying in Saudi Arabia, having moved this month to Al-Shabab, for a payment of round €5.00m (£4m), with Podence but to make an look for the Saudi facet.
Podence’s comparability to Eden Hazard
The hype was as soon as far bigger for Podence, incomes comparisons to a Premier League nice following his efficiency in opposition to Leicester again in 2022, with pundit Darren Bent stating that “Podence jogs my memory of Hazard“.
First Impressions
What did pundits and followers alike take into consideration their new star signing once they arrived? Soccer FanCast’s ‘First Impressions’ sequence has every part you want.
Hazard made 352 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 110 objectives, offering 85 assists, and totalling 26,697 minutes performed. So, these comparisons have been at all times going to be robust boots to fill, however regardless of displaying glimpses of high quality, Podence by no means managed to offer any consistency or output at a excessive stage.
Podence (21/22) vs Hazard (18/19) comparability | ||
|---|---|---|
Stats (per 90 minutes) | Podence | Hazard |
Objectives | 0.30 | 0.47 |
Assists | 0.15 | 0.36 |
Progressive Carries | 3.82 | 8.49 |
Progressive Passes | 4.55 | 7.72 |
Key Passes | 2.18 | 3.23 |
Photographs Whole | 2.34 | 2.65 |
Shot-Creating Actions | 4.00 | 6.96 |
Profitable Take-ons | 2.12 | 4.65 |
Carries into Pen Space | 1.27 | 3.20 |
Stats taken from FBref | ||
Regardless of being in comparison with Hazard, the metrics aren’t shut, with Podence not attaining the identical output as Hazard within the peak of his powers, with G/A or different metrics, reminiscent of development or carrying statistics.
The qualities the 2 had most in widespread, and maybe the explanation for parallels being drawn between the 2, was their carrying type, potential to beat their man 1v1, and glide forwards with the ball. While Hazard did this at an elite stage, Podence did this equally, simply at a decrease stage and effectivity.
A carry is taken into account progressive if the ball is moved in direction of the opponent’s aim no less than 10 yards from its place to begin or is carried into the penalty space.
Usually described as having a low centre of gravity, the good Belgian’s potential to alter route at pace, get away from his man, and draw fouls was his greatest trait, with some even placing him within the class of the dribbling greats, reminiscent of Lionel Messi and Neymar.
Podence could have had a lot of high quality, however an lack of ability to indicate it on a constant foundation, offering efficency and output for his facet, has seen him now transfer on to Saudi Arabia, the place he’ll more than likely play out his remaining years of soccer.
