ALL EYES ARE ON NEVES
THE Championship’s most expensive and arguably most high-profile signings are both in line to make their debuts as the new season kicks off.
Ruben Neves’ move from Porto to Wolves understandably raised a few eyebrows and there will be many interested observers waiting to see how the Portuguese prodigy fares in the rough and tumble of England’s second tier.
Neves became the youngest captain in the history of the Champions League when he led Porto against Maccabi Tel Aviv aged 18, and Wolves reportedly shelled out more than £15million for his services.
Having been linked with Europe’s leading clubs at one stage, Neves lost his way last season. And another intriguing part of the tale is that his manager at Porto, Nuno Espirito Santo, is now in the hotseat at Wolves.
Santo’s team begin their campaign against relegated Middlesbrough today, with 20-year-old Neves expected to start.
Santo said: “The players that have come to Wolves can really help us and the players that are already here are helping a lot with the building of a new team.
“With the number of players that have come, it’s about putting together everybody and building a strong squad. There’s no other way to compete at this level in the Championship; you have to be a strong squad and share the same spirit.
“We are ready. We have had long days of hard work but the boys have trained very hard and very focused.”
Less than 20 miles away, John Terry will lead Aston Villa out for the first time in a competitive game following his departure from Chelsea.
The 36-year-old chose to drop down to the Championship for what he and Villa fans hope will be a promotion push this season.
Their first test comes against Hull, the team manager Steve Bruce quit last summer in frustration at a lack of transfer activity.
Bruce is expecting a tasty affair, saying: “When the fixtures came out I thought it’s sod’s law, live on the telly, first game of the season, it has to be Hull.
“I left a year ago last week. A lot’s been said about what’s happened and I was disappointed at the finish, but I had four great years there and they’ve still got some good players so we’re in for a tough game.
“And the one thing they’ll want to do is turn me over so we have to be ready for that.”
Fulham are another team highly fancied for promotion to the Premier League after missing out in the play-offs last season.
After returning for a second season on loan from Chelsea, defender Tomas Kalas told the matchday programme for today’s clash with Norwich: “Obviously there’s a sense of unfinished business for me with Fulham after last season.
“Again, it’s going to be about who can get that momentum first and keep it going for as long as they can. All the teams have good players. Hull and Middlesbrough will be strong. But anything can happen in this league.”
Promoted Sheffield United begin their first season in the second tier for seven years with a home clash against Brentford while today’s other matches see Bristol City face Barnsley, Burton host Cardiff, Ipswich play Birmingham, Preston meet Sheffield Wednesday and Reading travel to QPR.
Tomorrow, newly-promoted Bolton take on Leeds.