The 2024/25 season is one that Wolves will look back on with mixed reviews.
The first half of the campaign was nothing short of a disaster for Wolves, who were led into a relegation battle by Gary O’Neil.
After O’Neil was sacked in December, the Old Gold found a new lease of life with Vitor Pereira at the helm.
Pereira turned a lot around at Wolves, but unfortunately, the manager was unable to change the fortune of one player in the squad.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Hwang Hee-chan reacts honestly to his 2024/25 season
The 2023/24 season had the ability to be record-breaking for Hwang Hee-chan, who had a searing start in the Premier League.
Unfortunately, the turn of the year into 2024 was punishing for the Korean, who sustained an injury and ultimately hasn’t been the same since.
Aside from concerns over his fitness, Hwang has been poor when in action, ending the latest campaign with only five starts and two goals in the league.
Reflecting on the testing season, the 29-year-old was completely transparent with his views on his lack of game time, injury and form, admitting he has been left ‘upset’ by the year.
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“For me, personally, it was not an easy season. After a good season [last year], I didn’t expect it like this,” Hwang told Wolves’ official website.
“I’m a little bit upset, but this situation doesn’t decrease my value, and doesn’t change what I did here before, over the four years.”
Though the forward acknowledged the failures both in and out of his control over the season, Hwang refused to let the 2024/25 calendar define his Wolves career.
“Even if I didn’t play [much] this season, I’m still a good player, and I never give up.
“I give everything every single day, and it’s not easy to give everything if you’re not playing, but I’m experienced and want to show them no negative vibes and try to give good vibes and positive things.”
After being a firm starter under O’Neil, Hwang was used just 11 times by Pereira in the league, spending six games on the bench as an unused substitute.
Hwang might regret not leaving Wolves last summer
Though the player himself has been able to dissect his season for good and bad, there’s surely something in Hwang that makes him regret staying at Wolves.
Last summer, Marseille pushed to sign Hwang in a deal that would’ve exceeded the £20m mark.
Statistic 2023/24 2024/25
Appearances 29 21
Minutes 2124 649
Goals 12 2
Assists 3 0
Hwang Hee-chan Premier League record at Wolves 23/24 and 24/25
The forward opted to stay after being convinced by O’Neil, who was, of course, then sacked less than a year later.
Instead of having the option to make a name for himself in France, the Korean remained at Wolves and struggled to impose himself as he did the season prior.
It’s a dire shame for both the player and Wolves, who are unlikely to receive a fee as high as the one Marseille offered last year due to Pereira’s preference not to include Hwang in his best XI.