Toti Gomes reveals what Conor Coady told him that transformed his game at Wolves, ‘I learned that…’

Wolves will see significant improvements to their squad during the transfer window, but Toti Gomes is one of multiple reasons why signing a centre-back isn’t a big priority.

Toti nailed down a place on the left side of defence under Vitor Pereira, forming a successful partnership with Matt Doherty and Emmanuel Agbadou in 2024/25.

The 26-year-old made 34 appearances in all competitions to establish himself as an important member of the squad.

From starting his Wolves career as a sporadic squad option, Toti is now part of the leadership group at Molineux, alongside the likes of Doherty, Jose Sa and Agbadou.

When discussing his growing influence in Wolverhampton, the Portuguese defender praised former captain Conor Coady for his transformation.

Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images

Toti Gomes credits Conor Coady for becoming a better leader

Coady may have left Wolves permanently in 2023 but the Englishman will always be remembered by supporters at Molineux as a wonderful defender and even better captain.

The 31-year-old wore the armband during the club’s most recent successful period, which included winning the Championship title in 2018 and achieving successive Europa League campaigns.

Not only did Coady lead by example on the pitch but he was also a source of inspiration for his teammates, including Toti, who credited the Englishman for helping him find his voice.

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“I was always someone that likes to talk on the pitch, on the training ground, but I didn’t have a big voice before, and I learned that,” Toti told the Wolves official website. “I remember the first captain that I had, Conor Coady, he was always telling me, especially us being centre backs, we need to have the voice.

“We are the players at the back, and we see the whole game in front of us. So, we need to have the voice, and it’s very important, the communication – having someone like that in the team is going to help you. Having someone that’s going to talk with you, right or left instructions, it’s always good.”

Toti may have only played alongside Coady five times at Wolves, though what he was taught earlier in his career has held him in good stead.

Toti deserves immense credit for how he’s developed

At the start of the campaign, Troy Deeney labelled Toti a ‘car crash’ for his woeful performance in the defeat to Arsenal, raising concerns over his capabilities.

The left-footed defender was deployed in a back four by Gary O’Neil, an experiment that completely failed as Wolves lost seven of their opening eight matches.

Toti wasn’t suited to play in a four-man defence, seeing his best form come when he’s used alongside two other centre backs.

That is exactly why the defensive powerhouse played his best football under Pereira last term, with Dave Edwards rating Toti highly due to his speed, athleticism and ability on the ball.

So, during a summer where personnel will be chopped and changed in the Wolves squad, it would be a surprise if the Portuguese international wasn’t lining up against Manchester City come August 16.

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