Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Toti Gomes is today featured in a two-page interview with Portuguese newspaper O Jogo.
Now called up by the national team, the 24-year-old is hopeful of playing at the Euros for his country next year.
Toti is happy with the season he’s had with Wolves. He was asked to talk about how bad the year actually started, and explained that Spanish manager Julen Lopetegui made a big impact since his arrival at the club.
“In fact, we didn’t start well. We had everything worked out really well, but in the games things weren’t going the way they did in training. The Premier League is like that, there are ups and downs and every game is big,” Toti told O Jogo.
“When there was a change of coach, the locker room changed, the team became more united. Lopetegui felt that the group was with him, and so were we. In training there was a click. We ran for each other, giving our lives. He showed us that every game is a battle and, even if we don’t play well, there can be a little star if we fight until the end.”
Talking about having a dressing room full of Portuguese players, the centre-back was also asked about the most playful teammate he has in the squad.
“The Portuguese welcomed me very well and so did the others. I saw right away that this is a family, they integrated me in an incredible way in training and in the group. It was better than I expected, they made me feel very comfortable and I could see that when I debuted. I felt very calm on the field. The help of the companions was a great pillar.
“There are many personalities, not only among the Portuguese, but also among the Brazilians, the British… But there is one that stands out: Diego Costa. There’s no escape. What he brought to the team was very positive, the experience he has and his presence in the locker room. He’s very playful, but he pulls a lot out of all of us. His mentality is very good. And he already knew Chiquinho and Matheus Nunes from Estoril. We are all a family, we organise dinners and activities.”
Toti was also asked about Portuguese star Ruben Neves and his future. The defender claimed not to know anything about the midfielder’s decision, saying he’ll have his support either way.
“He’s a great player and everyone has their goals. We don’t know if he will leave or not. If it happens, we wish him the best of luck, because he deserves it. If he stays, he’s our captain and we’ll be happy. There will be positives on both sides. In football, you never know.”
The defender was born in Guinea-Bissau, but only started playing professionally in Portugal. That’s why he had already represented the European country in their U-20 squad, and is now ready to make his full debut in the friendlies against Bosnia and Iceland.
