Express & Star

Steve Bull: Leo Bonatini has big part to play for Wolves

Leo Bonatini is the latest loanee to come out and express a desire to stay at Wolves long term.

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It’s a sign of how well things are going that players are eager to stick around and his comments about playing in the Premier League next season are typical of the confidence coursing through the team at the moment.

The Brazilian striker may not have received as much praise as Diogo Jota, but he’s settled in quite well.

Four goals and four assists is hardly a return to be sniffed at. He’s had a hand in eight goals from the first 11 games but I still believe there’s more to come from him.

It’s worth remembering he’s only 23 years old and this is his first season in English football.

He probably needs another dozen or so games to show us his true potential.

That desire to stop at the club full-time will only improve his game and encourage him to raise his levels.

He didn’t start against Burton Albion last time out, but came off the bench and scored, which was the perfect response to being rested for the first time.

It may be tough working his way back into the starting line-up after the dazzling performance against Burton from Wolves’ front three, but it’s a long season and there will certainly be games more suited to his traits.

Bonatini may not be the most eye-catching player in the team, but I think a lot of people don’t appreciate what happens off the ball, when he’s pulling defenders out of the way and creating space for others.

He’s a team player, and has been at times an important link-up man in Nuno’s system.

What he needs to work on is his finishing. If he gets one chance in the game, he needs to put it away.

When I was playing, I always wanted to be the one scoring the most goals because I was a greedy so and so, but Bonatini might have to take a less selfish approach.

Yes, it would be great if he had scored eight goals instead of four by now, but the most important thing is that the team is scoring.

And Bonatini has proved he has a part to play.