Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo has expressed concerns over the depth and quality of his squad ahead of the new season.
The Telegraph reported that the manager has urged his employers to bring in some of the transfer targets that they have identified if they are to build on last season.
Wolves finished seventh on their return to the Premier League and will compete in the Europa League qualifying rounds over the coming weeks.
The Telegraph printed quotes from Nuno in which he said: “We are working with eleven first team players in terms of who finished in the team last season” ahead of Wolves’ match against Newcastle in the Premier League Asia Trophy on Wednesday.
Nuno’s pleas to the Wolves hierarchy for further additions to his squad are quite understandable given Burnley’s fortunes from a similar position this time last year.
The Clarets ended seventh in the Premier League in 2017/18 but found life much harder last season, slumping to a 15th-place finish and losing 20 league games.
Wolves have yet to bring in any new players as such this summer – their only signings were permanent deals for Raul Jimenez and Leander Dendoncker, both of whom were on loan at Molineux last season.
The club loaned out Helder Costa to Leeds recently and also allowed Ivan Cavaleiro to go on loan to Fulham, outgoings that will test Nuno’s squad depth further.
Writing in The Guardian, Stuart James identified a striker and a centre-back as Wolves’ likely priorities in the transfer market.
Looking through Nuno’s current squad, they appear fine for goalkeepers, centre-backs, left-backs and central midfielders. They seem light, however, in terms of right-backs, wingers, attacking midfielders and strikers.
Jimenez excelled last season with 17 goals, but Leo Bonatini managed just one while Rafa Mir and Bright Enobakhare were out on loan.
Matt Doherty was superb during 2018/19, scoring four goals and providing five assists in the league, but his only cover at right-back is Phil Ofosu-Ayeh, who spent some of the season on loan at German third tier club Wurzburger Kickers.
Adama Traore is the only right winger in the squad, while Diogo Jota’s cover on the left flank is Jordan Graham, who was loaned out to Oxford last season.
A striker to take the scoring burden off Jimenez would appear the most pressing need, while a versatile winger and natural number 10 would also be most welcome if Wolves are to have adequate cover in the squad and avoid dropping as low as Burnley did last season.
Wolves fans, where do you think your squad is in greatest need of reinforcement? Let us know in the comments section below!
About the Author
