Relegation can often force a reset, but for Wolverhampton Wanderers, they must prioritise some retention within the squad. With the club enduring a difficult 2025/26 season and sitting at the foot of the table for the majority of it, relegation is all but confirmed. If the Old Gold are to bounce straight back, keeping a core of quality, blending experience, physicality and emerging talent will be essential. Here are five players that the club should be looking to keep hold of this summer.
Five Players Wolves Must Keep to Lead a Championship Promotion Push
5. Sam Johnstone
There is no promotion push without stability in goal, and Sam Johnstone provides exactly that. With Wolves rotating goalkeepers during a turbulent campaign, Johnstone’s experience at both Premier League and Championship levels is invaluable. His shot-stopping and command of the area offer reassurance to a defence that has often been under siege.
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In the Championship, where physicality and direct play are more prominent, having a goalkeeper comfortable dealing with crosses and high-pressure situations is crucial. Johnstone fits that mould and could be a difference-maker across a long 46-game season.
4. Rodrigo Gomes
Out of Wolves’ Gomes contingent, Rodrigo is the one the club should be making sure they keep hold of. At just 22, he is the kind of dynamic transitional player who thrives in the Championship. Capable of operating as a wing-back or advanced wide player, Gomes brings pace, directness, and attacking intent, qualities that can stretch compact defences. The team have often struggled to penetrate wide areas, and Gomes offers a solution.
3. Mateus Mané
There have been very few positives that have emerged from the Wanderers’ difficult season, but the rise of Mateus Mané is certainly one.
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The youngster made his senior breakthrough under Rob Edwards, even scoring in back-to-back games against West Ham and Everton. His trajectory suggests he could become a central attacking figure. His energy, willingness to run in behind, and growing confidence make him ideally suited to Championship football, where developing players often flourish. Letting him leave now would risk losing a potential star just as he begins to deliver, although they may not have much choice unless he agrees to try a one-shot return.
2. André
One player who was expected by most to leave alongside his midfield partner João Gomes should Wolves be relegated. However, his recent comments have suggested otherwise. He is a dominant midfield presence that will be important in the Championship and could be a Ruben Neves-type figure next season.
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A tenacious, ball-winning midfielder, André combines defensive awareness with composure in possession. His ability to break up play and quickly recycle the ball will be vital. He provides balance to the squad, the type of player who allows attacking talent to thrive while maintaining structure.
1. Ladislav Krejči
At the top of the list is Ladislav Krejčí, a player who could anchor Wolves’ entire rebuild. Arriving on loan during the summer with a £20 million obligation to buy. Krejčí quickly established himself as a commanding presence at the back, even contributing goals from defence. His aerial dominance, physicality, and leadership qualities make him perfectly suited to the Championship.
Crucially, he offers something the side have often lacked: authority. In a league where set-pieces and defensive organisation are pivotal, the 26-year-old could be the cornerstone of a promotion-winning defence. Securing him permanently should be a top priority and could even be a contender for the captain’s armband.
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Relegation does not have to spell long-term decline. For the Wanderers, the blueprint is clear: retain a strong spine, trust emerging talent, and build a side capable of handling the relentless demands of the Championship. Keeping these five players would give a good foundation to build on to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
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