da roleta： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
da realbet： Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Moutinho has already vindicated his new long-term contract extension after he was named in Alan Shearer’s Premier League Team of the Week.
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What’s he said?
The west Midlanders defeated AFC Bournemouth 2-1 on Saturday afternoon to move into fifth place in the top-flight after goals from Moutinho, who fired home a sublime free-kick, and Raul Jimenez, who notched his 14th of the season.
Earlier in the day, the 33-year-old committed his future to the club by signing a three-year deal, meaning he’ll be at the club until at least the summer of 2022.
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His performance at the weekend caught the eye of Shearer, and the one-time Premier League champion has given Moutinho a glowing review by naming him in his Team of the Week.
He said:
“[Moutinho] produced a passing masterclass, playing short balls between the lines and longer ones out wide to stretch AFC Bournemouth, while his free-kick was of the highest quality.”
Vindicated
The Portuguese playmaker may be getting on a bit, but he’s shown no signs of decline whatsoever, making the decision to tie him down long-term a very wise move.
Moutinho has featured in all but two of Wolves’ competitive matches this term while also continuing to cement his spot in the national team as defending champions Portugal qualified for next summer’s European Championship.
The midfield maestro scored his first of the season with that free-kick on Saturday, but he’s already on course to surpass last season’s exploits having notched seven assists in all competitions, one short of his total for 2018/19.
Given Fosun’s long-term ambitions to build from within and transition into a fully functioning club from the roots up, such a decision to grant an ageing player a mega-contract was a bold call, but ultimately, his recent showing and subsequent plaudits have proven exactly why it was correct.
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