Wolverhampton Wanderers are expected to be busy in the final weeks of the summer windowplaceholder image
Wolverhampton Wanderers are expected to be busy in the final weeks of the summer window | Wolverhampton Wanderers FC via G
Wolves are expected to make more signings before the end of the summer window
Wolverhampton Wanderers are preparing for the start of a new season with plenty of fresh faces including summer signings such as Fer Lopez, Jhon Arias and David Møller Wolfe. The Old Gold have failed to win any of their six pre-season matches which is hardly ideal preparation for a campaign without star forward Matheus Cunha, club captain Nelson Semedo and left back Rayan Ait-Nouri among others.
Vitor Pereira’s side still have plenty of funds at their disposal from player sales this summer and could be one of the busiest clubs in the division in the last weeks of the window as they aim to assemble a team that can avoid relegation and ideally improve on last term’s 16th place finish which was their lowest since winning promotion in 2018.
But how are Wolves likely to line-up once the window slams shut on 1 September? Here we take a look based on their current squad and where they need to recruit.
Goalkeeper and defence
GK: Jose Sa: Portuguese international Jose Sa is expected to be the main man between the posts throughout the majority of the campaign. He’s been a regular starter under Vitor Pereira this term and appears to be much more settled at the club than he was this time last year.
CB: Emmanuel Agbadou: Ethan Agbadou was a season-changing signing in January, who brought stability to a Wolves back-line that had been leaking goals in the first half of the season. He’s likely to be just as important this year as the Old Gold try and climb the Premier League ladder.
CB: Toti Gomes: Toti Gomes has made huge strides under Vitor Pereira’s management and is expected to be a central figure in the heart of the Wolves defence. He had the fifth best tackle success rate of any player in the division last year and could play a crucial role in nullifying some of the division’s most potent attacking threats.
CB:Axel Disasi (potential signing): According to Caught Offside, Wolves are pondering a swoop for Chelsea defender Axel Disasi. The Frenchman is reported to be surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge after spending six months on loan at Aston Villa. L’Equipe have claimed Chelsea would sell for around £26m in July, although it is possible that Wolves could get that down to a lower figure.
LWB: David Møller Wolfe (signing): Norway international David Moller Wolfe has left AZ Alkmaar to complete a transfer to Wolves for a reported £10m. He scored twice in the league last term and contributed six assists, making him a useful attacking asset in the wing-back role if he can translate those sorts of numbers over to English football.
RWB: Milan van Ewijk (potential signing) Birmingham World reported earlier this month that Wolves have been told that they can sign Van Ewijk if they stump up £15m this summer. Van Ewijk has featured exactly 100 times for Coventry, scoring four goals and providing nine assists at Championship level for the play-off semi-finalists.
Midfield and attack
CM: Andre: Brazil international Andre enjoyed a strong debut campaign after arriving from Brazilian side Fluminense. He’s blessed with terrific work rate, is tough tackling and has been key to Wolves’ turnaround after Christmas. He’s been linked with a move to Juventus but is described by Sky Sports as a player that is untouchable in the eyes of the Wolves boss Vitor Pereira.
CM: Joao Gomes: Joao Gomes’ partnership with Andre was central to Wolves’ improved form in the second half of last season. He’s another that’s attracted interest from a number of top clubs including Tottenham Hotspur, but has already committed his future for now by penning a new deal.
CAM: Fer Lopez (signing): Wolves splashed out £23m to bring Fer Lopez to the club from Celta Vigo. The youngster scored two goals in 17 appearances last term for the Spanish side but is seen as player with massive potential.
CAM: Jhon Arias (signing): Wolves have signed Colombian international Jhon Arias for £15m. He’s a former Copa Libertadores winner and an ex-teammate of Andre. He’s renowned for his versatility and can play through the middle as a No.10 and out wide on the right wing.
ST:Jorgen Strand Larsen: Norwegian forward Jorgen Strand Larsen enjoyed a stellar debut season in England which saw him score 14 goals during a loan spell. The powerful forward will hope to continue where he left off this season after securing a permanent move to the West Midlands.
Full Wolves predicted line-up: Sa, Agbadou, Toti, Disasi, Van Ewijk, Møller Wolfe, Andre, Gomes, Arias, Lopez, Larsen.
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