Pereira already has a “great” kuni alternative with wolves

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Does Wolverhampton Wanderlers need a big summer rebuild?

The Wolves were in the relegation zone when Vítor Pereira was appointed in December, but were able to take charge of 10 of the 22 Premier League fixtures, including leading the club to their first six games in a row in the top division since October 1970.

This made the old gold finish 16 points and 17 points away from the drop zone, but it’s set to be a busy summer with Molineux, as there are many of the important assets that are coveted by other clubs.

It all began with the departure of Matheus Cunha.

Why was Masteus Cunha wanted?

It was officially announced that Cunha had joined Manchester United on Sunday afternoon. The Red Devils paid the reported release clause of £62.5 million.

This is clearly a blow to the wolves. Because Matt Furnis of Opta’s Analyst Overview, he has been the “most influential player” of the wolves over the past two seasons, describing Cunya as a “revelation” and praises his consistent ability to over-perform his XG statistics.

Meanwhile, athletic Steve Madeley has stated that the Brazilians are undoubtedly “wolf players”, adding that it is a very rare campaign that “essentially links to one player.”

Since moving him to permanent Atletico Madrid for £44 million two summers ago, Cunha has scored 31 goals in 72 appearances for the club.

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But are the current members of the Wolverhampton Wanderers team ready and ready to become main man?

A wolf nameless hero ready to step up after a clounya

When Wolves signed Jørgen Strand Larsen from Celta Vigo last summer, they were initially lending, but when they were obliged to buy £23 million, there was little fanfare.

Thus, the Norwegian striker certainly surpassed all expectations, scoring 14 Premier League goals.

Alan Shearer, the highest record-breaking goalscorer in the Premier League ever, praised Strand Larsen’s performance in an important 2-1 victory at Ipswich in April, saying, “His hold-up play was great… his touch and his control was great,” and added Cunha during his four-game suspension, saying, “I think they actually looked like a better team.”

Meanwhile, manager Pereira described his form as “fantastic,” adding that “he helped the team.”

Nevertheless, important questions remain. Does Strandlersen have the quality to become the main man of the target wolf now that Cunha has left?

Now let’s compare the duo to answer this question.

Strand Larsen vs Cunha 2024/25 PL comparison

statistics

Larsen

Cunya

exterior

35

33

Min

2,603

2,603

the goal

14

15

assist

4

6

shot

54

110

Target % shot

61.1%

40%

Goal-XG

+3.7

+6.4

I missed a big opportunity

13

2

A big opportunity has been created

6

13

Shot creation action

42

132

Goal Creation Action

6

16

A duel won

67

13

Touches per 90

26

54

% of touch in conflict box

15%

8%

Statistics via TransferMarkt, FBREF, SOFASCORE & SQUAWKA

As the table outlines, Cunha’s statistics are almost impressive, and not so surprising given that he is just a man who has just won a big buck for Manchester United.

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But what makes the table crystallize is the fact that they are at the heart of a very different type.

Opta analyst Ryan Benson labels Strand Larsen as a “fox in the box,” a classic target man who says “existence only continues to occupy the centre-back,” an allegation backed by data, with 15% of his touch reaching the opposite penalty area, recording almost twice the Cunha’s ratio.

The Brazilian was ranked second in the Premier League this season, but not XG and his teammates weren’t too late, but sat in seventh on the same metric.

Strand Larsen also ranked sixth due to the winning of the air duel among the strikers.

Nevertheless, still 25 years ago, the Norwegians have all the attributes to make a successful centre forward in this league, so they are well equipped to fill the massive voids vacant by the outgoing Cunha.

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