When watching Wolverhampton Wanderers, it is easy to notice the explosive impact Adama Traore has on proceedings with his incredible combination of speed, strength and close control. It is just as obvious to see that Raul Jimenez is a deadly finisher leading the line to score 13 goals for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side. But what is easily overlooked is the incredible contribution Rui Patricio has bought to Wolves between the sticks since joining from Sporting CP.
Wolverhampton Wanderers were able to pick up the 87 cap Portuguese international for a £16m fee, which was later agreed after he was one of several Sporting players who terminated their contracts following an attack by Sporting fans. The 32-year-old has seamlessly transitioned to Premier League life, recording seven clean sheets in his debut season with the club, a mark he has already eclipsed this term, keeping eight shutouts.
Patricio’s experienced head is an assured presence behind the Wolves defence, which allows those in front of him to thrive in full confidence of the goalkeeper behind them. He has 66 Premier League appearances to his name already, during which he has made just three errors leading to goals, helping Wolves to 25 top-flight victories. It is very easy to forget this is just the club’s second season back in the Premier League, as Patricio’s international standing and experience is well beyond the levels of regular recently promoted sides.
Relative to the frontmen, who have been exceptional this term, Patricio, valued at £18m (Transfermarkt), does not get the credit he deserves. He has the same number of clean sheets as Kepa Arrizabalaga and Hugo Lloris combined this season, six and two respectively, along with one more than Bernd Leno’s seven. As a result, Wolves also have a better defensive record in the top-flight, having conceded fewer goals this season, than Chelsea, 39, Tottenham Hotspur, 40, and Arsenal, 36, with the Portuguese international leaking just 34 goals in 29 appearances.
It is thanks to their superb defensive capabilities that Wolves are sixth in the Premier League table, in with a fighting chance of going one better than last year by qualifying for the Champions League. Furthermore, their stopper has kept them firing in Europe and not fatigued despite featuring on both fronts. Eclipsing his previous clean sheet tally with nine games to spare typifies the value of Patricio’s contribution and how he is often unheralded amongst his teammates.
