Toti feels something special is building at Wolves, which is why he put pen to paper on a new long-term contract at Molineux.
The defender signed new terms until 2029 this week, on the back of making his 50th appearance for the club during Sunday’s impressive victory over Chelsea. The 25-year-old had to the patient for his chance and developed elsewhere during the start of his Wolves career, but is now central to Gary O’Neil’s side this season, flourishing on the left side of the defence, and he spoke positively about the head coach, his journey and the future when reflecting on his new deal.
On signing a new contract
“It’s really special for me and my family. I’m really grateful for the confidence the club has given me. Looking back at my journey, I arrived not as a kid, but I feel like a man now. Of course, there’s still more things to come, I’ll keep working hard, and responding on the pitch with my hard work. Every time I have the opportunity to play, I will try to improve myself and help my team.
“I can feel myself different. Not just more confidence, but in terms of football, my football’s changed for the better. We’ve been learning every day since I arrived, there’s always space to improve, so for me it’s really good.”
On hitting 50 Wolves games on Sunday
“It was really special for me, the 50th game. I’m really happy to be here and playing with these fantastic players. I’ve been learning a lot, with them and with the gaffer, and I’m really happy to be part of this group.
“What is special is, you can see the happy faces and the togetherness. You can see the group we have, which is one of the things that only if you’re part of the group you can see. It’s not just the players, it’s the whole staff, the gaffer and his team, the medical team, it’s important the togetherness we have. This is what’s keeping us going and doing well against big teams. It’s us and we’re not afraid of them.”
Our 24, staying until '29.
— Wolves (@Wolves) February 8, 2024
✍️ @TotiGomes23 pic.twitter.com/zW0rMNRQGb
On the head coach’s influence
“He’s been really good. He arrived in a difficult moment for us, at the time we were without a coach and the Premier League was starting in a few days, but we all respect him for taking the job and for helping this group of players.
“Of course, in the beginning the mood was not good because we were without a coach, but when he arrived, you could see the environment changed a lot, even the way we play. Everybody’s confident, everybody’s happy with the football, everybody’s giving their lives for their team mates. This is what makes a team like this better. That’s why we’ve been having fantastic results, it’s thanks to the gaffer.”
On having the opportunity to play regularly
“It’s really important for every player to have that consistency, to play every time, to show the best football from yourself. For me, it’s really important and having that confidence from the coach. I’ve had it since he arrived and I’m very grateful, the way we’ve been working with him, and we try to listen to him. What we do in games is what we’ve been training on.”
On looking to the future
“I think day by day, but of course, I’m very grateful for this long-term contract. I will keep working and give more and more. I’m really happy to wear this shirt every time we’re on the pitch, especially when we play at Molineux in front of the fans, it’s such a great feeling.”
