Why Vitor Pereira Should Not Start Matheus Cunha Against Spurs — Even If He’s Wolves’ Best Player
As Matheus Cunha becomes available again following a four-match suspension, Wolves boss Vitor Pereira faces one of his biggest decisions yet as manager. The Brazilian forward has been one of the standout performers this season — arguably the standout performer — and many would assume that his return to the starting lineup against Tottenham Hotspur is automatic. But in truth, it’s far from a foregone conclusion. If Pereira sticks to the values he’s shown so far at Molineux — values rooted in team cohesion, tactical discipline, and meritocracy — then he might be compelled to make the bold call to leave Cunha on the bench.
Cunha’s Suspension and the Unexpected Upside
Cunha’s absence wasn’t initially expected to be long — three games for the red card he picked up in the FA Cup tie against Bournemouth. But that quickly became four after the FA charged him with improper conduct. That left Wolves without their main attacking outlet, their joint-top scorer, and a player who brings flair and energy in abundance.
At the time, there were serious concerns among Wolves fans. Cunha has played a pivotal role in keeping Wolves clear of the relegation scrap this season. His goals, assists, pressing from the front, and link-up play have given Wolves a real attacking edge. Losing him for an extended period could have derailed the team’s rhythm or morale. For many, this felt like a potentially season-defining setback.
Yet, remarkably, the opposite happened.
Wolves collected 10 points from a possible 12 in the games he missed. No team in the Premier League earned more during that stretch. This wasn’t just a case of Wolves surviving — they thrived without Cunha. It was a genuine collective effort, and one that raises important questions about balance, chemistry, and the dangers of over-reliance on individual talent.
When a Star Player Disrupts the Flow
While no one is disputing Cunha’s talent or importance, sometimes the presence of a star player can actually alter the way a team plays — not always for the better. Alan Shearer made an insightful observation: Wolves, without Cunha, looked more fluid, more balanced, and less predictable. That’s not necessarily a criticism of Cunha, but rather a reflection of how his presence can dominate the team’s attacking identity. When he plays, there’s often an inclination to funnel the ball to him at every opportunity. That can make attacks one-dimensional, especially when he’s not at his absolute best.
In his absence, other players have stepped up and taken on responsibility. Jorgen Strand Larsen has led the line intelligently. Marshall Munetsi, praised consistently by Pereira, has shown incredible work rate, defensive support, and discipline. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, who has filled Cunha’s usual inside-left role, has been excellent — dynamic in transition, aggressive in pressing, and tactically sharp. Each of these players has earned their spot through performance, not reputation. To drop any of them now would feel unfair and potentially damaging to team morale.
Meritocracy and the Message it Sends
One of the key elements that has emerged during Vitor Pereira’s short time at Wolves is his no-nonsense approach to leadership. He has shown that status doesn’t matter — it’s about form, effort, and commitment to the collective cause. We’ve already seen him make some strong, controversial decisions: freezing out Mario Lemina after the midfielder’s refusal to play; calling out Matheus Cunha publicly for poor body language; and even leaving Craig Dawson out of the squad completely due to his unsuitability to Pereira’s tactical system.
All of these moves reflect a manager who values discipline, focus, and performance. Starting Cunha immediately — regardless of how well others have played in his absence — would go against that. It would suggest that certain players are undroppable, even if the team has proven itself without them. That kind of message can quietly erode the unity Pereira has worked so hard to build. In contrast, if Cunha is kept on the bench initially and made to earn his place back, it reinforces the belief that no one is above the team — not even the most talented player in the squad.
Long-Term Planning and Future Squad Building
There’s also a pragmatic, forward-thinking element to consider. The reality is that Matheus Cunha may not be at Wolves next season. The Brazilian is likely to attract serious interest in the summer window, especially given his performances and profile. If Pereira is building for the long-term — and all signs point to that — then it makes sense to continue investing minutes into players who are guaranteed to be part of the project going forward.
By giving more responsibility to Bellegarde, Munetsi, Strand Larsen and others, Pereira is strengthening the core of the team for next season. He’s giving these players confidence, experience, and a sense of ownership in Wolves’ tactical identity. That kind of development is priceless, especially if Wolves want to push for more than mid-table next year.
The Importance of Dressing Room Harmony
Team spirit is a fragile thing. It doesn’t take much to upset the balance. When a team is winning and performing well, the players feel connected and motivated. Everyone feels valued. But the fastest way to upset that balance is to make changes that feel unjustified — especially in the eyes of those who’ve earned their places through hard work and recent performance.
Pereira seems acutely aware of this. He’s already demonstrated his ability to read the mood of the dressing room and make decisions that protect harmony, even if they’re unpopular externally. Starting Cunha straight away could risk that harmony. It could cause friction or resentment among players who’ve just delivered 10 points in four games.
Instead, benching Cunha initially allows Pereira to reintroduce him gradually, without disrupting the team’s structure or energy. Cunha can come on as an impact substitute, potentially changing the game if Wolves are chasing a goal. That kind of role still allows him to contribute, but without destabilizing the rhythm others have built.
The Tactical Match-Up Against Spurs
There’s also a tactical argument to be made. Tottenham under Ange Postecoglou play high-risk, high-reward football. They commit men forward, play with a high line, and leave space in behind. Wolves may actually benefit from having more vertical, transitional players like Bellegarde and Munetsi — who are more direct, more physical, and more positionally flexible — to exploit that space and keep Spurs on the back foot. Cunha, for all his creativity, is more of a link-up forward than an out-and-out threat in behind. This could be the kind of game where pace, press resistance, and compact shape win the day — and that’s exactly what Wolves have shown without him.
Conclusion: A Big Call That Reflects Bigger Principles
It’s never easy to bench your best player. There will be critics if the decision backfires. But the measure of a top-level manager is not whether he makes popular decisions — it’s whether he makes the right ones for the team. Vitor Pereira has already proven himself to be a manager who values system over stardom, structure over spontaneity. This is a huge test of that philosophy.
If Pereira truly believes in what he’s building at Wolves — a cohesive, hard-working, tactically disciplined side with depth and character — then starting Cunha against Spurs, just because he’s available again, would undermine that ethos. By benching him, Pereira would reinforce a message that every player is accountable, every place is earned, and the collective always comes first.
This is more than just a team selection — it’s a statement. One that could define the rest of Wolves’ season, and Pereira’s long-term relationship with his squad.
Would you say fans are warming to Pereira’s approach more and more with each passing week? Or is Cunha’s status still strong enough that benching him would cause division among supporters?