While still only 23 years of age, Hugo Bueno is now in his seventh year in Wolverhampton and is one of the finest examples of making the step up through the academy to become a Premier League starter.
Following his superb goal against Arsenal, fans were right to shower the Spaniard in praise, but in truth, Hugo Bueno has been quietly going about his business as one of Wolves’ most reliable players this season.
From Vigo to Wolverhampton
From the far northwest of Spain in the region of Galicia, Hugo and his identical twin brother Guille began at CD Areosa’s academy before the switch to a club freshly qualified for the Europa League came knocking.
In the summer of 2019, Hugo Bueno joined Wolves as a scholar and was integrated into the under-18’s side under Steve Davis.
Having joined as an attacking midfielder, Hugo Bueno was quickly shifted to a left sided player, whether it be at fullback, wingback or left midfield.
Making waves in the academy
The attacking mindset has remained a clear part of his game ever since and it didn’t take long for the Spaniard to be promoted to the under-21’s before the end of 2019/2020.
He became a mainstay in the team, starting 18 matches and grabbing himself a couple of assists in the youth Premier League the following season.
The 2021/2022 season saw the most prolific version of Hugo Bueno as he scored five and assisted six in a superb promotion campaign to the top flight of youth football alongside the likes of Christian Marques, Luke Cundle, Dexter Lembikisa and Chem Campbell.
The new season saw real involvement in the senior team, starting with pre-season fixtures, before his inclusion in the matchday squad for five of the opening nine Premier League matches.
Bursting onto the scene at Selhurst
With Bruno Lage’s time abruptly ended in October of 2022, Hugo’s former U18’s boss, Steve Davis, stepped into the hotseat as interim manager.
It was under the academy manager that Hugo Bueno would make his debut too, after he was subbed on late on in the important 1-0 win at home against fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest.
The following game was when Wolves fans were made aware of the quality that the wingback possessed as he made his first start away against Crystal Palace.
With half an hour gone, Bueno picked the ball up high on the left wing before whipping a delicious cross onto the head of Adama to put the team a goal up.
After his first start, another nine came in a row as Hugo Bueno demonstrated all the attributes needed to be a quality wingback and had Wolves fans rightfully buzzing.
His awareness, along with confidence in defending 1v1 is one thing but his desire to attack with pace and skill is where Bueno is at his best and exactly why he kept his place when Julen Lopetegui was hired.
Competition on the left side
While having two young quality left-sided wingbacks is fantastic for squad depth and competition, Hugo Bueno’s minutes from 2023-2025 were cut to a minimum through no fault of his own.
There is no argument that Rayan Aït-Nouri proved himself to be one of the most talented fullbacks in the Premier League, and despite being out of favour under Lopetegui, he was a pivotal part of both Gary O’Neil’s and Vitor Pereira’s sides.
Trying to navigate through keeping both players happy and playing consistent minutes was a difficult task with the only real resolve being the smattering of matches where Aït-Nouri was pushed into a more forward position during an attacking injury crisis in early 2023.
The following summer, Wolves accepted a loan deal from Feynoord for the Spaniard, in a bid to give the fullback consistent minutes despite Toti Gomes being the only cover in that position.
For Hugo however, the move was a positive one in which he could test himself against the very best in a Champions League campaign for the Dutch side.
His finest moment in his season away from Molineux came in a crucial Champions League playoff second leg, an inch perfect cross in the closing stages set up the winning goal at the San Siro to put Feyenoord into the round of 16.
A successful season-long loan despite around two months sidelined meant there was plenty of discourse around his future at Wolves heading into last summer.
Shining light in a not-so-bueno season
Wolves fans were eager for Bueno to return to take the shirt following the departure of Rayan Aït-Nouri and although the season has been nothing short of diabolical for Wolves, Hugo Bueno has been one of a few positive performers.
When fighting at the foot of the table, passion and desire go a long way and those are two qualities that make the fullback a favourite in this team.
More so since Christmas, his performances have taken a step up with the draw at Newcastle and of course the match against Arsenal being two of his finest displays in a Wolves shirt to date.
Wolves fans will be desperate for Hugo Bueno to be at Wolves come September but with all the qualities he possesses, it’s safe to say he is absolutely a Premier League player.
