Wolves Sensation Achieves Feat That Leaves 98% of Premier League Players in the Dust
Wolves have seen a vast improvement under the ruling of Gary O’Neil, with one of the manager’s greatest assets being the re-emergence of Rayan Ait-Nouri.
How lucky are Wolves to have Gary O’Neil at the helm?
After a summer of high anxiety and a feeling of hopelessness at times due to issues regarding FFP restrictions, the Englishman waltzed into Molineux with five days to prepare for the 2023/24 season opener and quickly made things his own.
From making the Old Gold a threatening force all over the pitch to uniting fans and developing individuals in the squad, everyone with a connection to Wolves has benefitted from the 40-year-old’s arrival.
One player in particular who has become a player that the club cannot live without is Rayan Ait-Nouri, who has seen a resurgence at left-back in the manager’s set-up.
It was not long ago that Ait-Nouri’s future at Molineux was profoundly uncertain, as the intricate defender was forced to settle as an outsider in Julen Lopetegui’s squad.
Throughout the entirety of the 2022/23 campaign, the £9.5m arrival secured only nine starts for the Old Gold in the league, with talk building regarding a potential exit from the club after his permanent arrival from Angers in 2021.
Less than a year down the line, and the 22-year-old has become an undroppable figure under O’Neil, performing at a consistently high level on the left flank for Wolves.
Having started 16 games so far, the manager has repaid the £10k-a-week dynamo for his patience following his exile from the squad under Lopetegui, trust that is being reimbursed through his performances.
Averaging a monstrous 2.27 successful take-ons per 90 in the Premier League this term, Ait-Nouri stands in an elite class of full-backs, ranking in the top 2% of those in his position for his threat in possession.
Once dubbed “underrated” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, it’s clear to see that the Algeria international is relishing his place in O’Neil’s squad, as he explained when speaking to Sky Sports earlier in the season.
“We have got that freedom to go forward.”
“O’Neil is a coach who enjoyed it when we have the ball. He has some really good ideas. You can see that on the pitch, it’s nice to play in.”
From providing defensive stability on the left side, to taking pleasure in helping in the final third, Ait-Nouri epitomises what is wanted from a full-back in the modern game, and long may his form continue for the Old Gold.