Underrated £9.5m wolves star has really gone*

Gary O’Neill has brought about a significant turnaround for Wolves, and one of the manager’s best achievements has been Rayan Ait-Nouri’s comeback.

How fortunate are the Wolves to have Gary O’Neil leading them?

Following a summer marred by intense worry and, at times, despondency over FFP limitations, the Englishman arrived to Molineux with just five days to prepare for the 2023–24 season opener and swiftly established himself.

Everyone connected to Wolves has benefited from the 40-year-old’s arrival, from making the Old Gold a formidable presence on the pitch to bringing fans together and nurturing individual players inside the club.

Rayan Ait-Nouri, who has seen a comeback at left-back in the manager’s lineup, is one player in particular who has established himself as a vital member of the team.

Not too long ago, Ait-Nouri’s future at Molineux was very much in doubt as the complex defender had to make due as an outsider in Julen Lopetegui’s team.

The £9.5 million signing gave the Old Gold just nine league starts for the whole 2022–2023 season, and speculation about his possible departure from the team after his permanent arrival from Angers in 2021 has been growing.

After less than a year, the 22-year-old has developed into an unstoppable force under O’Neil, playing at a high level for Wolves on the left side.

After he was kicked out of the squad under Lopetegui, the manager has rewarded the £10k-a-week dynamo for his patience by starting 16 games so far. His performances are repaying that trust.

This season, Ait-Nouri has averaged an incredible 2.27 successful take-ons per 90 possessions in the Premier League, placing him in the top 2% of full-backs in the league for possession threat.

The Algerian international, who was previously labelled “underrated” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, is obviously enjoying his position in O’Neil’s side, as he stated in an earlier season interview with Sky Sports.

“That freedom to move forward is ours.”

“Coach O’Neil likes it when we have the ball. He’s got some very clever ideas. It’s evident from the pitch that it’s pleasant to play in.

Ait-Nouri embodies all that is desired in a modern full-back, from offering defensive stability on the left flank to enjoying himself in the closing third. Long may his form continue for the Old Gold.