MATHEUS CUNHA has been told to stay out of trouble and keep proving his worth at Wolves because he is not “Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo”.
The Brazilian striker was linked with a move away in January – and appeared to have his head turned by Arsenal before signing a new deal until June 2029 on February 1 with a £62.5m release clause.
Matheus Cunha has been told to keep his head down amid links with top clubs[/caption]
Cunha has been warned he is not in the same league as stars like Lionel Messi[/caption]
Wolves boss Vitor Pereira has had run-ins with Cunha since replacing the sacked Gary O’Neil in late December, previously criticising the 25-year-old forward’s body language and suitability as captain.
That looks to be in the past now with Cunha scoring in Wolves’ last three games in all competitions – including a beautiful strike in last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield to take this season’s tally to 13 goals and four assists.
Centre back Abdoulaye Ba, 34 – now at Saudi second tier side Al-Faisaly – played under Pereira at Porto from 2011 to 2013 where he lifted the Portuguese top flight in 2012/13.
And Senegalese defender Ba told SunSport: “Pereira is very strict with discipline and his game plan. I remember he would often tell our Porto side: ‘I have two hands, one to give and the other to receive’.
“He acted like a father or a protector when the players gave their all without limits and raised the level of the team.
“Cunha is not Messi or Ronaldo or even Neymar, so it does not surprise me that they have worked together to find the best way to help the team.”
Cunha was berated by Pereira for allegedly refusing to acknowledge the away fans in a 3-1 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last month, having been banned under O’Neil for two games by the FA for an on-field scuffle with Ipswich security just before Christmas.
Pereira, 56, who has managed in Greece, Turkey, Germany, China, Brazil and Saudi Arabia during his varied managerial career to date, also played hard-ball with want-away midfielder and then-captain Mario Lemina, 31, before the Gabon international was sold to Galatasaray in the winter window.
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Ba continued: “Under Pereira, I became more mature with tactical discipline and respected the game plan, and above all, trusted my teammates in difficult situations.
“He always prioritised teamwork and the group. In his speeches, he would say that optimism is a magnet of happiness.
Vitor Pereira has been backed to revitalise Wolves[/caption]
Abdoulaye Ba won a title playing under Pereira at Porto[/caption]
“While he was a coach in the Porto youth team, he convinced me to sign in 2008 as a teenager with an inspiring video call. He knew how to find the right words to convince and motivate me.
“He has the sense to explain and talk with you. He says titles are won with discipline and attitude.”
Pereira was linked with the Everton job 2013 to replace David Moyes, and again in December 2019 to replace compatriot Marco Silva but turned it down to stay with Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai SIPG.
He was then tipped to take over at Goodison in January 2022 after Rafa Benitez was axed, only for Frank Lampard to be hired following protests from Toffees supporters.
Wolves have won five of 11 matches with Pereira in charge at Molineux, three those in the Prem.
Should Wolves avoid relegation – currently two points off the bottom three with 13 games remaining – the Portuguese coach could be a wanted man again in the summer.
Ba added: “To follow managers like Jose Mourinho and Andre Villas Boas at Porto, he must have the same stuff and DNA as them. He has the confidence and the ability.
“His office door was never closed and he wanted communication. He is a humble person and a true leader. His loyalty to all players was incredible.
“He has already shown a lot of good things in different countries. The results, the numbers, the evidence is there. He is very stubborn and has all the abilities to succeed in the Premier League.”
