Wolves’ Transformation: Micah Richards Reflects on the Club’s Evolution Beyond Matheus Cunha
For much of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, Wolverhampton Wanderers found themselves teetering dangerously close to the relegation zone. With inconsistent form, injuries, and managerial uncertainty early in the season, the mood around Molineux was one of nervous apprehension. The Old Gold faithful, once accustomed to bold, attacking football and flirtations with European places under Nuno Espírito Santo, were instead watching a team that lacked cohesion and belief. But all that has changed—and dramatically so.
Fast forward to April 2025, and Wolves have done something they’ve never done before in the Premier League era: win four consecutive matches. That run of victories—capped off by a thrilling 4-2 win over high-flying Tottenham Hotspur—has not only propelled Wolves out of the relegation battle but also firmly into mid-table with renewed hope and excitement about what the future might hold.
The performance against Spurs was everything Wolves fans could have hoped for. Electric attacking play, gritty defending when required, and goals shared among several key contributors. It wasn’t just the win itself that made headlines—it was what it symbolized: Wolves aren’t just surviving anymore. They’re evolving.
And among those taking notice is none other than former England defender and popular football pundit, Micah Richards. Known for his passionate, sometimes blunt analysis, Richards has been open about his concerns regarding Wolves’ ability to survive the drop. But as he explained on The Rest Is Football podcast, the Old Gold have completely changed his perception of the team.
“I always believed Wolves had enough to stay up, but that belief was largely based on Matheus Cunha,” Richards said. “Now, watching them without Cunha these past few weeks—it’s actually made me realise they’re more than just one player. Strand Larsen has stepped in and looked sharp, Gomes is dominating midfield, and Ait-Nouri has taken his game to another level.”
Richards’ comments are telling because they reflect a broader change in narrative. Earlier in the season, Matheus Cunha was considered the heartbeat of Wolves’ attack. His energy, dribbling ability, and eye for goal were seen as the glue holding the team together. When news of his suspension and growing discontent surfaced, many feared Wolves would spiral. Instead, they flourished.
Cunha’s four-match ban turned out to be an unexpected blessing in disguise. With him sidelined, manager Vitor Pereira had the opportunity—and necessity—to rethink the team’s setup. What followed was a stretch of matches where Wolves didn’t just cope without their talisman; they thrived. In fact, no Premier League side has accumulated more points since matchday 27—Cunha’s last start—than Wolves. Thirteen points from a possible fifteen is an astonishing return for a side that was previously struggling to find rhythm.
At the heart of this resurgence is a manager who deserves immense credit. Pereira, who took over with the task of steadying a shaky ship, has done far more than that. He’s instilled confidence in players like Jørgen Strand Larsen, who has led the line brilliantly in Cunha’s absence. Larsen’s movement, pressing, and link-up play have been crucial to Wolves’ attacking flow. João Gomes has stepped up in midfield, showing not just physical presence but technical class and intelligence in breaking lines and protecting the back four. And Rayan Ait-Nouri has added another gear to his game—bombing forward with confidence, creating chances, and even getting on the scoresheet.
Richards, reflecting on these individual contributions, added: “Sometimes you look at a squad and wonder how they’re in trouble. There’s so much quality at Wolves—internationals, experienced Premier League players. It just needed to click. And now it has.”
That clicking of gears has turned Wolves into one of the most in-form sides in the division. More importantly, they’re no longer a team dependent on one or two players. They’re functioning as a unit, with tactical flexibility, multiple goal threats, and a growing sense of belief that this squad can achieve more than mere survival.
Of course, the situation with Matheus Cunha still looms large. The Brazilian has reportedly made it clear that he wishes to leave the club in the summer, and while that might have once sparked widespread concern among fans, it now feels like a manageable transition. Cunha did score upon his return to the pitch against Spurs, a moment he used to express appreciation to the Wolves supporters following a turbulent few weeks. But crucially, his goal came after the match was already won. It was the cherry on top—not the turning point.
This is significant because it demonstrates a shift in the team’s dynamic. Wolves don’t need to rely on Cunha anymore. The system works. The players believe. And Pereira has found a balance that was sorely missing earlier in the campaign.
So what does this mean for Wolves moving forward?
The immediate priority, of course, is to finish the season strongly. With relegation concerns all but extinguished, the focus will now turn to finishing as high as possible and continuing to build momentum heading into the summer. Recruitment will be key. If Cunha departs, funds will be available, and Pereira will likely want to shape the squad further in his image. The performances of Strand Larsen, Gomes, Ait-Nouri, and others suggest the core of a very strong side is already in place.
More importantly, Wolves are now positioned to dream a little bigger. For a club that has tasted European football not long ago, there is a growing feeling that the dark days might finally be behind them. If this form continues, if Pereira is backed, and if this group continues to gel, then there’s no reason why Wolves can’t push for a top-half finish—or even challenge for a return to Europe next season.
Micah Richards’ change in perspective is emblematic of how far Wolves have come in a matter of weeks. What was once a squad viewed through the lens of survival is now being talked about as one of the most exciting turnarounds of the Premier League season. The energy at Molineux is shifting, and the supporters—who never stopped believing—can now look forward to what promises to be a fascinating new era for their club.
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