Wolves have had a busy start to the summer, with all the activity thus far relating to people leaving the football club.
It is simply a huge window for Wanderers, as they look to build on the positive 2025 they had after parting ways with Gary O’Neil.
Vitor Pereira has a lot of credit in the bank for the impact he made at Molineux, and fans want to see him backed properly by Fosun.
Wolves manager Vitor Pereira looks on against Aston Villa.
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
There was encouragement last week when it was claimed ‘the penny has dropped’ for Wolves executives. It was suggested the feeling for those behind the scenes was that the club needed to spend more to avoid playing Russian roulette with the club’s Premier League status.
So far though, we’re yet to see any kind of movement regarding new player signings.
Matheus Cunha, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Pablo Sarabia have all left the club, which means a lot of creativity has gone out of the team.
It also means Wolves now don’t really have a recognised set-piece taker.
Wolves must sign a player with good set-piece ability
Matheus Cunha of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Matheus Cunha was generally the man who took corners for Wolves, even scoring directly from one once.
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He would also be on free-kicks in and around the penalty area.
But Wolves had alternative takers in the form of Sarabia – who hit a stunning free-kick against Manchester United in April – and also Ait-Nouri on occasion.
Now, all three of these players have departed – and this is a problem for Pereira.
Currently, no one in the squad sticks out as a player with good delivery from set-piece scenarios.
On free-kicks we have seen Emmanuel Agbadou have a couple of efforts, but those have been from central positions and far out.
But certainly, Pereira – with the help of Jorge Mendes, Valdir Cardoso and the incoming Domenico Teti – has got to get someone in who has good delivery, and ability on free-kicks.
Nine of Wolves’ 54 goals in 24/25 were from set-pieces, which just shows the value of having someone with quality in those situations.
Pablo Sarabia playing for Wolves.
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Hugo Bueno may be a set-piece option for Wolves
One man who might be able to help Pereira out is Hugo Bueno, who could be Ait-Nouri’s successor at Molineux.
He’s now finished his loan spell at Feyenoord, and Pereira has suggested he’ll be looking at Bueno in pre-season.
Types of Wolves goals in the Premier League in 2024/25
Open play – 36
Set-pieces – 9
Counter-attacks – 8
Own goals – 1
Penalties – 0
data via WhoScored
Bueno is known for his great crossing ability, and this might make him someone decent for any free-kicks from the left side.
But ideally, one or two of the signings Wolves make this summer will also have great set-piece quality.