Matt Doherty

Matt Doherty is a 34-year-old Republic of Ireland right back currently at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League. A long-serving figure in English football, he returned to Wolves after spells away and has remained part of the squad's defensive options during what has been a turbulent 2025/26 campaign for the club.

Doherty's season statistics tell a story of reduced involvement. Across ten appearances and 706 minutes in the 2025/26 season, he has contributed no goals or assists and carries an average match rating of 6.51, which sits below the threshold most managers would want from a regular starter. His last five matches underline that picture clearly: he has not started any of the four most recent fixtures, and his only start in that run came against Chelsea in February, where he was substituted at half-time with a rating of 5.98. Wolves drew 2-2 with Brentford, drew 2-2 with Arsenal, lost 1-3 to Chelsea, drew 0-0 at Nottingham Forest, and lost 1-0 at Crystal Palace during that stretch, a sequence that reflects the broader inconsistency the club has shown this season.

At 34, Doherty is operating as a squad player rather than a guaranteed starter, and the data from SportSignals' AI analysis engine has flagged Wolves' defensive structure as an area of concern across several recent matches. His experience remains an asset in the dressing room and as cover, but his path back into the first eleven depends heavily on form elsewhere in the squad and any injury disruptions at right back. His career includes title-winning seasons in the Championship and Carabao Cup success, giving him a pedigree that younger squad members lack.

In Wolves' upcoming fixtures, the key observation will be whether Doherty is reintroduced to the starting lineup or continues in a rotation role. His ability to contribute defensively and push forward when given the opportunity has historically been his strongest asset, so monitoring his minutes and positioning in the team shape will give a clearer sense of how much the manager is relying on him as the season progresses.