In 2013, Wolves suffered their second relegation in as many seasons and readied themselves for a stint in English football’s third tier. For one of the Football League’s founding members, who boast four league titles and FA Cups, their circumstances didn’t reflect the club’s proud footballing history or their fans’ ambitions. Fast forward six years and things look a little different. Newly promoted Wolves have their sights set firmly on the top half of the Premier League, with a side featuring the dazzling talents of Portugal’s Ruben Neves, accompanied by Euro 2016 winners Joao Moutinho and Rui Patricio.

The Turnaround

The turnaround has been remarkable and entertaining in equal measure. For the past 12 months, Wolves have stolen headlines for winning the Championship at a canter while playing attractive football orchestrated by their Portuguese manager Nuno Espirito Santo and executed by several of his countrymen. Rarely has a British side been so heavily fortified by players from a single nation. Arsene Wenger’s access to a flourishing French market in the 90s helped turned Arsenal into double winners, while Rafael Benitez picked four Spaniards for Liverpool’s 2005 Champions League winning squad. Going a step further, Wolves currently have more Portuguese players in their starting XI than Primeira Liga champions Porto.

The System

The club’s core of players from the Iberian Peninsula has been at the heart of their stylish success. Last season, they were the only Championship side to play an attacking 3-4-3 formation, and according to Opta, they created 89 big chances, 24 more than closest challengers Aston Villa. While the likes of Cardiff, Fulham and Huddersfield may look to grind out results from the back this season, Santo will not abandon his attacking philosophy.