Trincao transfer is the ultimate test for Wolves, Fosun and Jorge Mendes

Francisco Trincao has started more Premier League games under Bruno Lage than all of Wolverhampton Wanderers’ other wingers.

Given the fact Lage rates the strength-in-depth of his wide department above all others, that statistic shows how highly the Wolves head coach thinks of Trincao.

The Portuguese winger was Wolves’ marquee summer signing, arriving on loan from Barcelona, and the deal can be made permanent for around £25million.

With seven caps for Portugal and a big money transfer to Barcelona coming before his 22nd birthday, Trincao certainly arrived at Molineux with pedigree.

His first words as a Wolves player only served to build up excitement around him. “I want to give them a reason to buy tickets,” he said. “I want to score goals and get assists.”

The problem for Trincao - and for Lage, who continues to select him - is that he hasn’t managed a goal or an assist in 20 Premier League games this season.

Those statistics don’t always define a player. Adama Traore, for instance, didn’t post extraordinary numbers, but Wolves always appeared more dangerous when he was on the field.

Traore’s ball-carrying abilities and chance creation statistics ensured he never carried the tag of being a ‘luxury player’. In contrast, Trincao has become that for Wolves.

When we think back to Trincao’s best games this season, Watford away, Newcastle and Everton at home spring to mind. Wolves dominated the ball in each of those games, which allowed Trincao to drift around the pitch without any real responsibility.

If Wolves are controlling a game and in the ascendancy, Trincao has supporters right on the edge of their seats. He isn’t lightning quick like Traore or Pedro Neto, but Trincao finds other ways to outwit opponents.

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