Inside track: Wolves new boy Enso Gonzalez aims to make a quick impression

Of all of Wolves’ summer signings, Enso Gonzalez can be most closely described as an unknown quantity.

As Wolves make exciting young winger Enso Gonzalez their third summer signing, arriving at Molineux on a six-year deal, wolves.co.uk explores what the Paraguayan will bring to Gary O’Neil’s squad.

Background

Gonzalez progressed through the youth set-up at Paraguayan giants Libertad – the most successful team in terms of championship titles in the South American country’s history – before breaking into the first team in September 2022. Having earned just five minutes off the bench in Libertad’s 1-0 loss to Cerro Porteno, he was introduced in the dying moments two games later as his team were two goals to the good against Tacuary FBC. But it was in October where the winger truly broke through, as he made his full debut in a 1-0 win over General Cabellero, starting on the right of the front three. He played another five times during the 2022 Primera Division Clausura, as Libertad finished the campaign fourth in the table to qualify for the 2023 Copa Libertadores group stage.

After a cameo appearance off the bench in the opening game of Libertad’s 2023 Primera Division Apertura season, a 17-year-old Gonzalez eventually became a regular part of the team. Just three minutes into the league game against Resistencia SC, Gonzalez – once again playing on the right wing – struck his opening goal for ‘Gumarelo’. He was helping his side cruise to a three-goal cushion before being on hand to set up Lorenzo Melgarejo for Libertad’s fourth of the afternoon. Two games later he scored his second in black and white, as he set his team on their way to a 2-1 win over Asuncion rivals Club Nacional.

Gonzalez played a part in every game for the rest of the 2023 Apertura season, as Libertad topped the standings thanks to 16 wins from their 22 league matches. The winger was also present in four of Libertad’s six Copa Libertadores (the South American equivalent of the Champions League) as well as being part of the team which reached the last 16 of the Copa Sudamericana (the South American Europa League). During the opening months of the 2023 Primera Division Clausura, Gonzalez started seven of Libertad’s eight league matches, scoring his third goal for the club during their second game of the season in a 3-0 win over Guarani.

Playing style

A winger with tricky feet and a small frame, but it’s not just out wide where the 18-year-old has thrived during his first nine months as a senior professional. Although favouriting his left foot, Gonzalez poses a confident attacking attitude and can play across the front three, as he shows his skills on either side of the pitch or supporting the striker as a number 10.

During his time in Libertad, Gonzalez wanted to get on the ball as much as possible to launch attacks for the team, but he also helped out in the defensive side of the game. A player who loves to get on the ball, he will also bring tenacity to the wide positions as he enjoys getting stuck in to challenges and win back possession.

Despite his size, Gonzalez is also effective in the air, due to his timing and spring. But he is seen as a jack of all trades, as he can take players on, penetrate the lines, cross, shoot, and is willing to work. The winger is also quick across the ground, sharp and mobile.

Attitude

The 18-year-old has regularly displayed a determination, grit and positive attitude which is common among young South American players. It is due to this which is why the winger has been on the radar of European clubs who believe he will be able to adapt to Premier League football.

As well as having a bite about him, Gonzalez has also showed confidence and willingness to take contact and to recover immediately having hit the deck. Because of his stature, Gonzalez has regularly been targeted by bigger defenders, but has been praised for his attitude of bouncing off players due to his low centre of gravity, or getting back up as soon as he is challenged.

Arriving at Molineux as the third summer signing and first under Gary O’Neil, Gonzalez will be given the chance to impress the head coach during the 2023/24 Premier League season.

Recruitment

Wolves’ recruitment team were first made aware of him in the 2022 season via their data recruitment analyst, Will Sanders, as he flags young players breaking through from around the world. The club’s regional South American scout at the time, Pablo Rodriguez, then followed up on the young winger, describing him as ‘electric’ within his reports. He quickly became of interest, having further reports from the rest of the department in April, led by the extensive work done by the senior recruitment lead Elliot Sutcliffe, and all were left excited by the player.

By early summer, Gonzalez was on the list of players which the recruitment team felt would be a good fit for the first-team squad, so when the opportunity came to bring him to Wolves – after both Matt Hobbs and O’Neil believed there would be a spot available for his position – then he was signed safe in the knowledge of what he would bring to Molineux.