Assessing the options of Nuno Espirito Santo this summer...
Friday 17 May 2019 12:12, UK
Where do Wolves need to strengthen this summer and what business might they do? We take a look...
Wolves enjoyed a successful return to the Premier League, finishing seventh and only being denied a place in the FA Cup final as a result of Watford's stoppage-time winner.
Most of the club's summer signings came off and Nuno Espirito Santo has built a highly organised team, but there are huge ambitions at Molineux and they will want to improve.
Matt Le Tissier: "I was really impressed defensively with Wolves this season. In terms of their first 11 they were pretty good but the strength in depth is not quite there yet.
"I would say they may need a decent centre-forward to cover for Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota if one were to get injured. I was impressed with Jota towards the back end of the term and he will have a big season next year.
"I think they could buy an attacking midfielder that could get more goals from midfield. Ruben Neves got some from midfield but Wolves could benefit from an attack-minded midfielder who scores goals - that was where they were lacking this year."
A well-disciplined defensive outfit, there were a dozen teams who had more possession than Wolves but such was their ability to control the game without the ball, only the top four conceded fewer goals.
Consistency of team selection was key with only Burnley making fewer changes to their starting line-up throughout the season.
The partnership between Jimenez and Jota was vital during the second half of the campaign.
Jimenez became Wolves' top scorer in a single Premier League season with 13 goals, while Jota became first player to score a top-flight hat-trick for the club in 42 years when he netted a last-gasp winner against Leicester in January.
Nuno Espirito Santo on the transfer policy: "I never saw a £20 note running on the pitch. It doesn't have to do with money. The more important aspect is what you have before, the squad and the spirit you have and ethic of work. Someone who comes then finds a routine and philosophy and just has to get along. This is the best way."
Rob Dorsett: "Wolves have secured their best league finish since 1980, and if Premier League champions Manchester City also secure the FA Cup, Wolves will be in next season's Europa League. It's been an extraordinary season. But this is just a stepping stone, a part of the master-plan, and you can expect more fireworks in the summer transfer window.
"Nuno Espirito Santo has always stressed his desire to keep an intimate, compact squad but there will be a number of signings and expect some big names to boot - especially with the involvement of super-agent Jorge Mendes.
"Nuno is reasonably content with his attacking options, now that Raul Jimenez has secured his permanent transfer to Molineux. But it's thought AC Milan striker Andre Silva is on Wolves' radar - as he was last summer. Milan look likely to allow him to leave - he's scored 13 goals on loan at Sevilla this season.
"The Wolves priority though will be re-enforcements in defence and central midfield. Morgan Sanson, the Marseille midfielder, is reported to be a target.
"Wolves have been incredibly lucky with injuries this season - they cannot count on that happening again. Conor Coady has played every minute of every Premier League game this season, for example. And if Wolves have Europa League football to contend with, as early as mid-July, they will need a much deeper squad. Nevertheless, expect Helder Costa and Ivan Cavaleiro to leave - they've not been part of Nuno's plans."
Wolves will target a third-choice goalkeeper to add competition for Rui Patricio and John Ruddy with Will Norris a possible departure.
Espirito Santo will also seek to bring in a right-sided centre-back, a right wing-back to act as an understudy to Matt Doherty, a dynamic central midfielder to take the workload off Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho, and a deputy for Raul Jimenez up front.
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