The Wolves Player Who Has Recorded A Surprisingly Good Statistic

In the summer transfer window, Wolves made a bold move by signing Colombian international Jhon Arias from Brazilian club Fluminense for approximately £19 million. The 27-year-old, known for his creativity and flair in attacking roles, was brought in to fill the void left by Matheus Cunha's departure, inheriting the prestigious number 10 shirt at Molineux. With a reputation built on his performances in South American football, including helping Fluminense to Copa Libertadores success, Arias arrived with high expectations to bolster Wolves and contribute to their push in the Premier League.

Standout Numbers

However, just three games into the 2025/26 season, Arias' start has been a mixed bag. While his attacking numbers are yet to ignite—registering zero goals and zero assists in 137 minutes played—his involvement in the game has shown promise through other metrics.

Arias has completed 2 dribbles at a 50% success rate, won 11 duels (including 1 aerial duel), and contributed to 5 shot-creating actions without any goal-creating actions yet.

What has truly stood out, though, is Arias' unexpected prowess in the defensive third—a facet not typically associated with his forward-thinking style. But Arias has actually been quite handy defensively so far, with data showing he is fifth for tackles made in the Premier League after three games. Arias has made 10 tackles up to now, placing him fifth of all players. Only Tyrick Mitchell (14), Mats Wieffer (12), Elliot Anderson (12) and Moises Caicedo (12) have made more. It’s more than any of his Wolves teammates, including Andre and Joao Gomes, and also one more than former Wolves player Rayan Ait-Nouri, who’s made nine for Manchester City.

His Potential and Improvements Needed

These defensive stats are particularly noteworthy given Arias' primary role as an attacking player who can operate centrally, on the left, or right. Wolves manager Vitor Pereira, who personally advocated for Arias' signing, has emphasized the player's all-around quality and requested patience from fans as he adapts to the Premier League's intensity.

While former Wolves player Andy Thompson has voiced some disappointment in Arias' overall performances so far, highlighting a need for more end product in the final third, the Colombian's work rate off the ball could prove invaluable for a Wolves side looking to solidify their midfield.

As the season progresses, with an international break providing a brief respite, Arias will have opportunities to build on this foundation. His track record at Fluminense—where he amassed goals, assists, and key passes in abundance—suggests that once he fully acclimates, Wolves could see the complete package: a player who not only creates but also defends with tenacity. For now, his tackle count serves as a reminder that contributions come in many forms, and Arias is already making his mark at Molineux in unexpected ways.