Hat-trick hero Matheus Cunha becomes Dream Team’s most in-form player – remains overlooked by 98% of gaffers

MATHEUS CUNHA (£4m) is fast becoming one of the stories of the Dream Team season.

At the time of writing, he’s comfortably Gameweek 22’s top performer having banked a whopping 25 points against Chelsea on Sunday.

The Wolves forward scored a hat-trick as his side beat the Blues 4-2 at Stamford Bridge to jump into the top half of the table.

There was an element of good fortune for Cunha’s first goal via a substantial deflection that totally wrong-footed Dorde Petrovic (£3m) but the Molineux faithful would say he’s earned his luck through impressive performances this season.

His second goal came courtesy of a typically excellent Pedro Neto (£3.2m) assist while the third came from the penalty spot – although it’s worth noting Cunha won the spot-kick himself with a penetrating dribble that rendered Malo Gusto (£2.5m) critically desperate.

Add in three bonus points plus a big chance created and it’s no wonder the Brazilian has made such giant strides in the Dream Team rankings off the back of his showing in West London.

He’s leapfrogged Ollie Watkins (£4m), Darwin Nunez (£4.6m) and Julian Alvarez (£4.3m) to go fourth among assets in his position.

In fact, Cunha’s overall total of 192 points puts him just four points behind Erling Haaland (£7.6m) although of course the outlook is likely to be different once Manchester City have played Brentford tonight.

Sunday’s hat-trick is the culmination of a spectacular run of form.

Cunha is statistically Dream Team’s joint-most in-form player right now alongside Joao Pedro (£4m) – both have averaged 13.3 points-per-game across their last three outings.

And if that sample size is too small then his return of 84 points in his last eight appearances is equally emphatic.

The 24-year-old has now scored 11 goals in all competitions this season but he’s not an out-and-out striker in the traditional sense.

He’s exhibited a keen eye for goal in recent weeks but he specialises in link-up play and carrying the ball forward – his dribbling stats put most other players in his position to shame.

And it’s his overall contribution to every aspect of Wolves’ attacking play that has earned him 26 bonus points in 2023/24 – the highest tally among all forwards.

Furthermore, Cunha works hard out of possession and often occupies deeper positions where he’s able to recover the ball in midfield.

In fact, only Jordan Ayew (£3.1m) has made more tackles among assets in his position.

Add in seven assists plus eight big chances created and the former Atletico Madrid man looks more and more the complete package.

Sadly though, only a slim minority of Dream Team bosses have benefited from his efforts of late.

Even now, his ownership remains at a modest 2.1% – meaning almost 98% of gaffers are overlooking him.

In fairness, the main reason for this is that there are several appealing options up front at present.

The aforementioned Watkins, Nunez, Pedro and Alvarez have all satisfied their backers in recent outings, as have the likes of Diogo Jota (£4.3m), Dominic Solanke (£4m), Alexander Isak (£4.4m), Richarlison (£3.3m) and Rasmus Hojlund (£3.6m).

Factor in Haaland’s comeback from injury and the imminent returns of Mohamed Salah (£6.7m) and Son Heung-min (£4.8m) and Dream Team managers will be thoroughly spoiled for choice.

But while it’s partially understandable that Wolves’ No12 has been overlooked by so many, the raw numbers are undeniable – he deserves due appreciation.

With all that being said, it may the case that the best time to own Cunha is almost at an end.

O’Neil’s side obviously don’t have European fixtures to bolster their schedule and if they fall to Brighton in the FA Cup at the end of this month then they’ll be left with just Premier League commitments.

With Manchester City and Arsenal set to resume their Champions League campaigns this month and Liverpool, Brighton, West Ham and Aston Villa to follow with their respective European knockout games in March, it may be the case that Cunha struggles to keep pace with his comparatively relaxed fixture list.

His owners should be able to enjoy his form for a little while yet though.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk