There is no doubt that Matt Doherty needs to have a bounce back campaign at Wolves during the 2023/24 season.
The Ireland international has undergone a difficult spell in his career over the last couple of years. Having fallen out of favour at Spurs, it was hopes that a winter move at the turn of the year would help get him more playing time. However, his odd transfer to Atletico Madrid ultimately ended with the player featuring for a grand total of 16 minutes in La Liga.
He was always certain to be on the move once again this summer, although it was unclear what club he would sign for. In the end, he opted to make a return to Wolves.
Doherty spent a decade at Molineux before leaving for Spurs in 2020, establishing himself as one of the best attacking fullbacks in the Premier League during the tail-end of his time at the club. He will be hoping for similar results during his second spell.
Matt Doherty makes honest admissions about his Wolves return
While it might be assumed that the decision to move to Wolves was an easy one for Matt Doherty, it seems that this was not the case. After all, moves involving players returning to their former clubs often fail to work out.
As well as that, things are not all necessarily rosy at Wolves right now. They have sold some important players this summer, many of which have yet to be replaced.
With all of this in mind, it was refreshing to hear Doherty make some very honest comments about his return to the team this afternoon.
After coming off the bench and winning a penalty in their 1-1 friendly draw with Celtic at the Aviva Stadium, he was asked by Viaplay about coming back to Wolves. He was very forthright in his answers on the transfer as well as the bigger issues surrounding the club at the moment.
🐺 Wolves defender Matt Doherty reflects on drawing with Celtic, his decision to return to Wolves, and the squad heading into the Premier League
"I don't think things are perfect behind the scenes at all." 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/IQcb8YR7IS— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) July 29, 2023
No, it wasn't an easy decision purely because I've been here before. You're always wary about going back to somewhere that you've been, you don't want to ruin something that you might have done before.
But then when I spoke to the right people, I spoke to the manager and he really wanted me to come, which obviously helps. You want a manager that believes in you and wants you to play for them.
I guess it looks like an easy decision on the outside, but there was some thinking I had to do...
Look, I don't think things are perfect behind the scenes at all. As players, there's literally nothing we can do about it except for going out on the pitch and carrying out whatever the manager wants us to do.
The season isn't far away, we need to get training, knuckle down, and work hard and see what happens in the transfer window. But for sure, we do need some bodies.
Honest stuff.
Matt Doherty will be hoping that his return to Wolves works out for both himself and the club, but considering the issues he has faced in his career in recent times, he seems to be realistic about the challenges that lie ahead.
Here's hoping that he can rediscover the form that made him such a brilliant player at Molineux during his previous spell.
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