There was a special feeling inside Molineux on Saturday evening.
In front of the biggest home crowd since 1981, Midlands rivals Aston Villa were chased out of town by the best attacking team in the Championship and when all was said and done, Wolves were top of the table for the first time since 2009.
Aston Villa, boasting John Terry and an experienced squad of players, were simply unable to cope with the home team, and it was Diogo Jota who was once again the chief tormentor for Nuno Espírito Santo’s side. Currently on loan from Atletico Madrid, Jota has been sensational so far this season, and his goal against Villa in front of the Sky Sports cameras was further proof that he is the stand out player in the 2nd tier.
Ruben Neves has being equally impressive in midfield since his big money move from Porto and he deserves plenty of credit for allowing Jota to express himself further up the pitch. Neves is a calming and quality presence in that midfield and he too is destined for greater things ,as many have been predicting for some time now, but Jota is slightly more of a surprise package.
Alongside Ivan Cavaleiro and Helder Costa, Jota has formed a frightening attacking line in The Black Country but it is the latter who who has rightly stolen the the lion share of the adulation. His goal on Saturday was his 7th this season in just 12 games and the former Porto man is now grabbing the headlines nationally that his performances so richly deserve.
His spell at Porto last season was an early indication of his talent and he has once again kicked on at Wolves having arrived on loan in the summer. His attitude since arriving at Molineux has matched his ability with the ball at his feet, and those qualities could well take him to the top of the game over the next five years.
58 touches
Completed 26/27 passes
3 chances created
6 shots, 2 on target
7th goal of the season
Jota is so much more than just a goalscorer, with his pace and energy key to the success of Wolves going forward. As well as scoring the crucial 2nd goal on Saturday with a powerful left foot effort, he also created three chances for his team-mates and completed 26 of his 27 passes in the process.
The Molineux team currently top the scoring charts in the Championship with 21 to their name and a large part of that has been down to the introduction of the man on loan from Atleti. Such performances are sure to attract the eye of a host of clubs and attention now turns to whether or not he can be secured on a permanent basis.
Speculation that Wolves will make their move for him January is rife, and clearly it is a deal that makes sense for all parties. The riches or the Premier League are within touching distance and a man of that quality will be dining at the top table sooner, rather than later. Put simply, Jota will be playing in one of Europe's top five leagues once again next season and Wolves need to act quickly to ensure that he will be doing it in the famous gold shirt, rather than for someone else.
When asked in the post-match press conference about signing Jota on a permanent basis in January, Nuno Santo referred bluntly back to the players contract but reports of as £10m deal already agreed will certainly be sending the Wolves faithful into dreamland. Make no mistake, £10m would be a bargain.
Put simply, Jota can not only lead them into the Premier league during his loan spell but provided he stays at the club after next summer, he can also be a major player for them in the Premier League.
If the money is available as we assume it is, Jota should be signed asap.
