Wolverhampton Wanderers are still fighting for their lives in the Premier League. The Old Gold are still rock bottom of the top flight, despite picking up a few more points in recent weeks.
However, they are still actively trying to add to their squad to help boost survival hopes.
One of the players who could be on the way in is Che Adams. The former Southampton striker now plays for Torino in the Serie A, but has been targeted by those at Molineux over a potential return to English football this winter.
che-adams-torino
However, the Scotland international isn’t the only player with bags of Premier League experience who could move to the West Midlands before the winter window slams shut.
Wolves burst into race to sign £15m star
Money might not be much of a barrier to the Old Gold for the rest of January. It still seems as though Jorgen Strand Larsen could leave the club in the coming hours, though his destination is still unclear.
Those pieces of business might not be the only two things completed at Molineux before Monday’s deadline.
According to Football Insider, Manchester City and England midfielder Kalvin Phillips ‘is a target’ for the club, who are ‘keen to bolster’ their side before the deadline.
kalvin-phillips-man-city
However, they are not going to be alone in the race for his signature. Phillips is also a target for fellow relegation-threatened side Burnley, with the Clarets keen on adding him to their squad ‘to give them a shot at survival.’
As for a price, it was previously reported that City would accept a fee of around £15m.
Why Phillips would be a better signing than Adams
It is no secret that the last few years have not been easy for ex-Leeds United star Phillips. The midfielder has barely got a look in at City, had a couple of failed loan spells and struggled with a whole host of injuries.
kalvin-phillips-man-city
However, at his very best in the Premier League, which came in a Leeds shirt, the Englishman was sensational. He featured 49 times in the top flight for his boyhood club, helping to keep them in the division and consolidate them, too.
We must also not forget just how good Phillips was for England at Euro 2020. He played almost every minute of the tournament alongside Declan Rice in the middle of the park and was sensational next to the now-Arsenal man.
Rio Ferdinand described him as a “dynamic” midfielder in that competition. He was crucial as Gareth Southgate’s side reached the final.
How Wolves would love to get a player of that quality into their midfield this season. His numbers from the Premier League campaign before Euro 2020 show how good he can be.
For example, Phillips averaged 7.93 ball recoveries per 90 minutes, which placed him in the top 9% of midfielders.
Phillips - 2020/21 PL stats
Stat (per 90)
Long balls completed
Chances created
Tackles
Blocks
Ball recoveries
Stats from FBref
There is no doubt that the signing of Adams would be a good addition for the Old Gold, but there is a case to be made that Phillips would be an even better signing.
Of course, they play different positions on the pitch and thus offer different things, but if they keep Strand Larsen, you could argue Adams isn’t needed.
Che-Adams-1
This isn’t to say he’d be a bad addition. The opposite, in fact, with the amount of Premier League experience he’d bring to the side.
In 124 top-flight games, he’s bagged 25 goals and assisted 14.
However, at his best, Phillips will add defensive steel and a wide range of passing to the midfield.
Those are two things that could make the Old Gold tougher to play through and better in transitional moments, with Phillips able to spring passes forward.
kalvin-phillips-man-city-premier-league
Adams brings goals, but the Man City star offers a more all-round package at his very best. If this deal can get over the line, he may prove to be a better addition than the Scot.
Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Rob Edwards applauds fans after the match Related
[Edwards could save Wolves job by selling flop who's "doing nothing"](https://www.footballfancast.com/edwards-could-save-job-selling-wolves-flop-stand-larsen/ "Edwards could save Wolves job by selling flop who's "doing nothing"")
Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Rob Edwards could save his job by cashing in on this flop.