MailSport journalist Tom Collomosse has issued a worrying verdict on Willy Boly’s situation at Wolves, saying the player has never really returned to full form since his health issues last year.

The Lowdown: Boly profiled

Boly appeared to be an absolute superstar when he arrived at Molineux, starting 36 games in both their promotion campaign and first season back in the Premier League.

Indeed, he recorded an incredible eight Man of the Match awards in his first year in the Black Country, and even bagged four goals in that return year to the top flight.

His influence waned after that though, starting only 43 top flight matches combined across 2019/20 and 2020/21. This season, the 6 foot 5 colossus has not played a single league match, missing the last nine games with a leg injury.

The Latest: Never truly recovered

Collomosse, speaking to Give Me Sport, has offered a rather worrying update, claiming the Ivory Coast international has never been the same player since recovering from a battle with Covid-19 in April 2021.

“I think the problem you have is he has had injuries. Last year, he had Covid and struggled after he came back from it,” he told GMS.

“I remember Nuno saying in a press conference that he’d had an elevated heart rate at one point. I’m sure he’s absolutely medically clear at the moment, but he’s not quite been the same player, I wouldn’t say, since about halfway through last season.”

The Verdict: Devastating

It is gutting to hear of Boly’s struggles – this is a player who was in the Championship Team of the Year in his debut campaign, and one who Joleon Lescott called ‘outstanding’ for his combination of physical prowess and agility.

Bruno Lage has had to stick with pretty much the same back three week in week out as a result, and while Conor Coady, Romain Saiss and Max Kilman have served the boss well, he will need more depth if they have a European competition to worry about next season.

Boly’s contract expires in the summer of 2023, meaning the club will likely need to decide this summer if he is fit enough to have a future with Wolves or if he should be moved on before he enters his last 12 months.

What a shame it would be if never gets another chance at Molineux.