Leander Dendoncker is Fast Becoming the Unsung Hero at the Heart of Wolves’ Midfield

If you were asked to name Wolves’ most important midfielder, chances are you’d pick one of two Portuguese maestros: João Moutinho or Ruben Neves.

Undoubtedly both fantastic technicians who make controlling the tempo of a game and spraying pinpoint diagonals around the field look effortless. But you’d be wrong.

When Leander Dendoncker arrived at Molineux in August 2018, it’s fair to say the jury was out for some time on the Belgium international. He would make just two Premier League appearances for the club before the turn of the year, with fans beginning to question why their usually so astute transfer team had agreed to make his loan move a permanent one the following summer.

However, since then he’s gone on to become one of the most influential players at the club, featuring in all but one of their previous 62 league outings – that one omission resulting in Wolves’ heaviest defeat since returning to the top flight as they were thumped 4-0 by West Ham – proving what a valuable cog he’s become in the Nuno Espirito Santo machine.

Dendoncker’s performance in Wolves’ recent win over Crystal Palace typified everything we’ve come to expect from the midfield enforcer, producing a display full of drive, endeavour and tenacity, allowing his midfield partner – whether it be Neves or Moutinho – the freedom to express themselves and control the game.

Despite Wolves’ squad possessing some of the finest passers in the Premier League, they aren’t a team renowned for their ability to keep the ball and slowly build attacks. Instead they rely on the pace of their front men, looking to soak up pressure before unleashing the likes of Adama Traore and Daniel Podence.

While this style of play certainly brings the best out of their attacking players, it means Nuno’s side have a tendency to become susceptible to counterattacks from the opposition, as Wolves look to spring into action and flood forward when given the chance.

This is why Dendoncker is an ever-present in the starting XI – his energy and work rate mean he’s not only able to assist at the top end of the field, but he also has the engine to cover the necessary ground and get back to help out defensively when needed.

When Wolves are out of possession their wing-backs tend to remain quite high up the field, meaning their back three can become exposed in the wide areas. However, Dendoncker manages to effortlessly shield the backline, sitting 15 yards ahead of Conor Coady and working his way across the field as though he’s a midfield sweeper in a game of table football.

The one aspect of the 25-year-old’s game which requires improvement is his ability to keep hold of the ball. In Wolves’ counterattacking system they need to take care in possession and can’t afford to readily lose the ball, yet this is something Dendoncker has been guilty of and is highlighted even further when playing next to players of Neves and Moutinho’s calibre.

However, that’s just a small blot on an otherwise flourishing copybook. It may have taken some time for the Molineux faithful to appreciate Dendoncker’s worth, but it seems they’re finally now beginning to appreciate just what a fantastic player they have at the heart of their midfield.