Wolverhampton Wanderers have been linked with Benfica striker Carlos Vinicius and as per Portuguese media, the English club has reserved funds to buy the 25-year-old. Despite the coronavirus outbreak, Wolves are reportedly preparing a bid of £53million for the Brazilian forward.
Carlos Vinicius started his youth career at Goias in 2009 at the age of 14 as a central defender. He joined Brazilian giants Santos in 2011 but was released for free and joined Palmeiras. Next season he joined Caldense where he was deployed as a number 6 and tasted the top-flight for the first time. He joined Gremio Anapolis and used to play as an attacking midfielder for them. He was sent out on loan to Portuguese side Real. It was here he was first played as a striker. He ended the season with 20 goals from 37 matches and attracted Napoli.
The Italian side signed him but was sent out on loan to Portugues club Rio and Monaco next season. He couldn’t get enough opportunities at both his loan spells. Benfica signed him on a five-year deal last summer. He has been on fire for the Portuguese giants and has scored 20 goals in the Primeira Liga.
His exploits have attracted several top clubs including Wolves. Wolverhampton manager Nuno Espirito Santo likes to play a three at the back formation. However, the attacking formation varies at times. So if the reports are true and Wolves really spend big to bring the striker to Molineux, where will the Brazilian fit in?
Striker role alongside Jimenez in a 3-5-2 formation
Vinicius has played in various positions at various clubs but he has always performed his best when he is played as a striker. Santo uses the two-striker formation with Jota and Jimenez as the centre-forwards. However, to stretch the opponents and the narrow lineup, Santo deploys two wings backs alongside the midfield. With Jimenez the undisputed starter upfront, Vinicius ha play as a striker alongside him, with Diogo Jota as their deputy. Santo will have three choices in the attack after Vinicius’ arrival. This formation will best suit Vinicius.
Striker or a substitute striker in a 3-4-3 formation
The 3-4-3 formation is widely used by the Portugues manager. This formation is a lethal formation with fast wingers attacking and Jimenez as number 9. This formation has Jota and Traore on the wings. If Vinicius arrives, he can slot in as the striker alongside Jota and Traore. The tall 6 feet 3 inches striker is a traditional target man and as the stats suggest, he’s much more of a poacher. He has scored all 15 goals from inside the box in the Primeira Liga. With Traore, Jota and Moutinho creating chances for him, he can be lethal for the Wolverhampton. However, it’s unlikely that Santo will tweak his starting formation, so he will likely be used as a substitute more often.
The Brazilian has scored an impressive 15 goals this season so far in the Primeira Liga. That means he scores in every 86 min for the Portuguese giants. Another impressive stat is his five assists. He also managed 14 dribbles so far. He can be a good fit for the Wolves side but there is one problem, his release clause. Benfica wants £88m for the Brazilian and are standing by the price. A hefty amount for a player with just a few good seasons will be a risky move for any top club.
