Matt Hobbs says Tommy Doyle will bring a different skillset to the Wolves midfield and provide a big personality off the pitch at Compton Park.
The latest new arrival at Molineux checks in with more than ten years of experience in the Manchester City academy, as well as three loan moves, and is now relishing the challenge of the Premier League.
Packing a lively personality, Doyle has the character and ability to make an impact at Molineux and is a player who was tracked through his successful stint at Sheffield United by the Old Gold recruitment team, and even earlier on his journey leading to this Wolves move.
On adding Doyle to the group
“I watched a lot of Tommy at Sheffield United last year in my previous role in recruitment, and also coming through the system at Man City, and he’s a player we tracked all through last season with a view to this year.
“It’s one we’ve wanted to do since the start of pre-season, but timings didn’t work out. City’s interest in Matheus Nunes reignited the conversations, but then delayed them again through negotiations, but Tommy knows he’s a player we’ve liked for a while.”
On what he brings to the midfield
“For me, he’s a technician, a ball player, a little bit like what Ruben Neves was to the team. He’s got a lot of quality, has a good set piece delivery and is a free-kick taker, and he’ll give Gary an option to maybe have a bit more control of games with his ability on the ball.
“With the youth football career he’s had, for club and country, he went to the Championship and forced his way into the team, and showed he was beyond that. The next challenge is to prove he can do it every week in the Premier League and we’re here to help him, Gary is here to develop him as a Premier League midfielder like he was, so I think we’re a perfect place for Tommy to show what he’s capable of.”
On bringing in a big character
“He’s another British player to add to the culture we’re creating here. Young, hungry, another potential asset, so he fits with what we’re trying to do, and the balance we’re trying to find in the squad. He’ll fit in easily.
“Some feedback we got from a former colleague who worked with him at England was that he’s a real character. A leader, but also a bit of a joker, with big energy for the group when they go away with England. He’s going to be big for us off the pitch, as well as on it, which is always a good position for a young player.”
On boasting a good pedigree
“Last year he had to earn the right to get in the team – he wasn’t red-carpeted into the Sheffield United team, he had to earn his place on the training pitch, with his attitude around the place, and that’s what he’ll have to do here.
“We’re building some good competition in the middle of the pitch, with some good players, and he wants that challenge, he doesn’t want to be gift wrapped anything. He wants to fight and earn his place through his performances day in, day out.”
On signing young and hungry players
“It’s what we want to do as a football club. I’ve talked before about players coming here with the hunger to kick on again. Tommy is another one of those and he’ll be a really good player for us, he gives us something different – a good age profile, a good character profile, but most importantly a good footballer. He ticks a lot of boxes for us.”
