---
title: "Wolves: Willy Boly still ‘not quite the same player’"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wolves-willy-boly-injury-covid-latest-molineux-news-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Goodwin"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2022-02-16T17:40:06Z"
modified: "2022-02-16T17:40:06Z"
---

# Wolves: Willy Boly still ‘not quite the same player’

**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](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/97587/History/Willy-Boly) in both their promotion campaign and first season back in the Premier League.

Indeed, he recorded an incredible [eight](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/97587/History/Willy-Boly) Man of the Match awards in his first year in the Black Country, and even bagged [four](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/97587/History/Willy-Boly) goals in that return year to the top flight.

His influence waned after that though, starting only [43](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/97587/History/Willy-Boly) 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](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/willy-boly/verletzungen/spieler/142310) games with a leg injury.

### The Latest: Never truly recovered

Collomosse, speaking to [Give Me Sport](https://www.givemesport.com/87972692-wolves-star-willy-boly-has-not-been-same-player-for-last-12-months), 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](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/willy-boly/verletzungen/spieler/142310).

“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](https://www.givemesport.com/87972692-wolves-star-willy-boly-has-not-been-same-player-for-last-12-months).

“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](https://twitter.com/wolves/status/986576838947426305) in his debut campaign, and one who Joleon Lescott called ‘[outstanding’](https://wolves.vitalfootball.co.uk/pundit-lauds-player-for-long-term-impact-since-joining-the-club-report/) 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](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/willy-boly/profil/spieler/142310) 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.