Wolves boss Vitor Pereira has demanded more consistency from star man Matheus Cunha as his side look to bounce back from their painful 3-0 defeat at Newcastle.

Pereira takes his side to Chelsea on Monday night having slipped back into the Premier League relegation zone after their loss at St James’ Park.

And Pereira believes Cunha – who returned from suspension off the bench in the north-east – has what it takes to inspire his side to safety.

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He told a press conference: “Cunha gives us the creativity as an unpredictable player. He can create magic in the moment on the pitch and create something special.

“But this kind of player – and this is my conversation with Cunha, to be a top, top level player, we know that he has the level, he has the technical level, he has the conditions, the skills – top skills – but he must be committed all the moments, every moment in the game.”

Cunha has emerged as one of Wolves’ most important players since moving to Molineux on an initial loan spell early in 2023 – but Pereira has high hopes that he can improve even further.

“If we lose the ball, he must give the first example to the others that he is running to get the ball again, compact the team, recover positions, defensive position, recover fast, and this is the behaviours and the personality for the top level players,” added Pereira.

“This is what I’m demanding from him.”

Cunha is battling a bout of flu that forced him to miss training on Friday in order to line up against the Blues. Nelson Semedo has been passed fit but Toti Gomes and Bouacar Traore remain sidelined.