Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Léo Bonatini has been named the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for October.
Bonatini scored in every Championship outing in the month. The Brazilian’s five goals in four games have been due reward for his intelligent link-up play with Diogo Jota and Ivan Cavaleiro and his natural ability to create space for himself in the box.
Wolves manager Nuno Espírito Santo said: “Leo has been in very good form and he is doing really well. We knew him well from before and we know his quality.
“I have read somewhere that a Wolves player hasn’t scored in this many games in a row for 30 years. That is credit to Leo but also to the team as well who create the chances for him to score.
“He is one of those players who are in a position where they need to score but, as well as the goals, he is also doing a really good job. He is about far more than the goals, it is the job he does for the team, and playing where he is he is the first defender that we have.”
Bonatini said: “It’s very good to be the Player of the Month, but it’s better to be on the top of the league with my teammates.
“I worked very strong on the pre-season to arrive here and play well and be ready to play and the life here is very good, the food is good and my teammates are helping me a lot, since my first day here.
“I think it’s easier when you arrive in a place and you feel that you are at home you feel like they want to help you and enjoy the experiences with you, so I want to say thank you to my teammates.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “It’s been a pleasure to watch Léo come into the jungle that is the Championship and hit the ground running with his performances.
“It goes completely against conventional wisdom that settling into the English game requires a ‘bedding-in’ period, because Bonatini’s mentality and goalscoring record have been superb.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Mikey Mumford said: “Perhaps a few eyebrows were raised when Bonatini was named on the bench for the Aston Villa fixture at the start of the month but the half-time substitute wasted no time in doubling his side’s lead and his scoring record since then has been unrivalled in October.
“The Brazilian has found the net in every game since, including an important brace in the 3-2 home win over Preston, to lead the Championship scoring charts with 10 goals. Bonatini deserves enormous credit for this award and fans will be hoping he can maintain his rich vein of form as Wolves look to stay at the head of the Sky Bet Championship.”
The judging panel for the Sky Bet Player of the Month comprises Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman; EFL Communications Director Mark Rowan, League Managers’ Association Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet EFL trader Mikey Mumford.