Wolves are in advanced talks with Burnley over the signing of Nathan Collins according to John Percy
Fresh injury concerns for Wolves as Chiquinho sidelined with ACL injury
Chiqiunho has suffered a serious injury and could see him sidelined for some time.
Five years of Ruben Neves: the beating heart of Wolves’ revolution
The adoration Wolves fans have for Neves has always been clear.
Wolves Rumours: July 9th
All the latest Wolves transfer news including incomings and outgoings
Wolves ‘in talks’ with 21-year-old forward
Reports in Portugal suggest that Wolves are in talks with Benfica over a loan move for Gonçalo Ramos.
Fabio Silva set to leave Wolves on season long loan
Fabio Silva is set to move to Anderlecht in Belgium on a season long loan according to Pedro Sepulveda.
There is no option to buy and it’s understood that the Belgian club are paying all of Silva’s wages.
It’s understood that the club considered loaning Silva out in January, but opted to keep him at Molineux.
Fabio Silva T-shirts Out Now
The move means that Silva will be playing European football this season – with Anderlecht qualifying for the Europa Conference League preliminary rounds.
Reports in Portugal also suggest that Wolves will only allow Silva to move on loan if he signs a new deal at the club. It’s said that Wolves offered Silva a two-year-deal but both parties have settled on just one additional year.
The imminent departure of Silva would suggest that Wolves are confident of finding a suitable replacement for the 19-year-old.
Morgan Gibbs-White – The £30m Question
What do Wolves do with Morgan Gibbs-White? It is a question that has been the centre point of discussions for Wolves fans since his return following a successful loan spell at Sheffield United. He produced a stellar campaign, amassing 13 goals and ten assists in what was a breakout season for the 22-year-old England U21 International.
Wolves, according to the press, value him at around £30m which would be their second most expensive sale (behind the £45m paid for Diogo Jota) and he has already attracted interest from Everton, Nottingham Forest and, most recently, Crystal Palace. With finances seemingly stretched, the idea of a sale certainly seems to be an attractive proposition. Selling a young, English player after one breakout season for a handsome fee seems to be a low risk move.
This is also considering the fact that his value could drop if he re-joins the side and doesn’t produce in the Premier League. Fosun will see Gibbs-White as one of their key sellable assets – a remit which falls in line with their ‘self-sustainable’ model introduced after the COVID-19 pandemic.
When looking at the situation from this angle, it is reasonable to deduce that the best course of action would be to bite the bullet and sell whilst his stock is the highest it has ever been. However, it is also important to look at the current Wolves squad and see where the gaps present themselves. Currently, Wolves are looking to find a central midfielder who can carry the ball and break the lines, something which the side has been crying out for for the past two seasons.
It has been made apparent in their lack of goals and speed in transition that a dynamic midfielder would benefit the side. Here, the club have a young, ready-made player to fill that gap and at no cost. From this standpoint you can argue that selling would make no sense as they would be unlikely to fill in many gaps in the squad for that £30m quoted price.
Bruno Lage has called for a centre back, central midfielder and a striker. If we take into consideration that Wolves are now a ‘sell-to-buy’ club, would they be in a better position with £30m in the bank but with yet another positional quota to fill? The club have already lost four senior players with no funds coming in, so can they really afford to let another player go in a position which is needed, and also in a squad the desperately needs bodies?
What can Gibbs-White add?
Whilst it is fair to say the squad needs bodies, we must also look at what quality the players can bring, and not just have players to make up the numbers. So what can Gibbs-White offer to this Wolves side?
The Stafford-born attacking midfielder produced a goal involvement every 143 minutes for Sheffield United last season. As seen in the graph below, his passing numbers show a willingness to go for riskier passes in exchange for higher chance creation, which is something that the club have missed.
Graph courtesy of EFLanalysis
He also ranked in the top three percent for assists in the Championship and top four percent for expected assists. In fact, he outperformed his expected assist of 0.24 with 0.27 being his final number (as per EFLanalysis). His high percentages of smart passes and through passes per 90 also illustrate an intelligence in attacking spaces and shows that his match IQ could certainly adapt in the Premier League.
We have already seen something to this effect when he combined with Diogo Jota and Raul Jimenez in a two-nil win against Cardiff in 2019. He knows how to utilise small spaces and improved his technical ability considerably over the course of last season.
His best games have come centrally according to transfermarkt, and when you look at his attacking numbers it fits. The majority of his shots come in the box which suggests a lack of fear when it comes to having shots in dangerous areas – an aspect of great frustration for Wolves last season. His goals percentages are also phenomenal for such a young player and again, goals from midfield are something we, as a fanbase, have called out for.
So what happens now?
Despite all the positives in regards to his match involvement, we are looking at a player who is uncertain about his future. Wolves have offered him a new two-year deal with the intention of making him a first team player. Whilst this contract offer is not considered a deal breaker, it would offer some assurance about his future as a Wolves player.
Bruno Lage has been complimentary of the player in the press and has made it no secret that he wants to keep him. The Portuguese head coach even offered him the chance to come back in January, but the player declined.
He was recalled in the 20/21 season by Nuno Espirito Santo during a good spell at Swansea in the hopes that he would be involved in the first team. After barely playing he was understandably reluctant to return again. His relationship with fans also became strained during lockdown as he attended a party after urging people to stay at home. These points provide insight into why his relationship with the club is not as good as it could be and why a transfer may be best for him to get a fresh start. Whilst fans may want to give him another chance due to his growth in maturity and talent, Morgan himself might be looking for somewhere new to begin the next chapter in his career which is probably his most important one yet.
Time will tell what happens with Gibbs-White. For now, we wait to see how Wolves will navigate the market in what is a crucial summer for the club.
Wolves 2-1 Aston Villa – Player Ratings
Wolves bounced back from their disappointing collapse against Leeds United with a sweet victory in the West Midlands derby against Aston Villa. A first half goal from Jonny Castro Otto combined with an Ashley Young own goal was enough to give Wolves all three points, but it was a nervy end to the game with Ollie Watkins pulling one back for Villa from the penalty spot five minutes from time. The score line certainly does not do Wolves’ performance justice and in truth, Bruno Lage’s men should have been out of site before the Villa goal. Ollie Watkins did have two golden chances earlier in the second half for Villa, but Jose Sa was equal to it. Wolves are firmly in the European hunt with just seven games to go, but they will need results elsewhere to go in their favour if they are to make it.
Jose Sa
Yet another superb display from Sa who played a huge role in Wolves’ victory in the second half. He made two excellent saves from Watkins and Cash to preserve the lead and can take little blame for what was a very dubious penalty. 8/10
Willy Boly
Recovered from a poor display against Leeds to show glimpses of the Willy Boly of old. For the most part he was calm and assured both with and without the ball. He did let Watkins in behind early in the second half but the England international placed his shot the wrong side of the post. 8/10
Conor Coady
An excellent display from Wolves’ captain who relishes these games and atmospheres. Coady was solid defensively and played a huge role in the final ten minutes as Wolves came under pressure with Villa searching for an equaliser. 8/10
Max Kilman
Restored to the side after being dropped for the defeat against Leeds. Kilman was impressive defensively and linked well with Moutinho and Dendoncker in possession too. Much more like it from Kilman following a difficult few games prior to the international break. 8/10
Jonny Otto
Two goals in two games for Jonny who has been a revelation since returning to the side in February. Playing on the right-hand side Jonny poses a far greater attacking threat than when on the left, combined with his usual assured defending, Jonny is proving just how much Wolves have missed him this season. 9/10
Joao Moutinho
Much was made about the absence of Ruben Neves prior to the game but Joao Moutinho certainly stepped up to the plate and delivered a masterclass in midfield play. His range of passing was excellent and almost everything Wolves did going forward came through him. Surely, he has one more year in him… 9/10
Leander Dendoncker
Dendoncker came into the side for the injured Neves and produced arguably his best performance of the season. Dendoncker was influential at both ends of the pitch and could have found himself on the scoresheet, but he sliced a good chance wide just before half time. 8/10
Marcal
Like Dendoncker, Marcal saved one of his best performances of the season for the derby at Molineux. He was relatively solid with few mistakes and produced an excellent cross for the second goal as Ashley Young could only divert into his own net. 8/10
Daniel Podence
Another good performance from Podence who was involved in almost every attacking move. He played a crucial role in the opening goal and got into several good positions, but the final ball and finish was often missing. 7/10
Fabio Silva
A rare start for Fabio Silva and the young forward certainly took his chance! Silva’s link up play was superb and played a huge role in Wolves’ victory. He will perhaps be disappointed with his chance just eight minutes into the game to put Wolves two goals to the good, but Silva can take great confidence from this display, continue this level of performance, and that goal will soon come. 8/10
Francisco Trincao
A deserved start after his impressive substitute appearance against Leeds and Trincao did not let Bruno Lage down. His final ball was at times frustrating, but his skill and trickery means Trincao took up some good positions and contributed to a huge result. 7/10
Subs:
Hwang Hee-Chan
A good cameo from Hwang who will be disappointed to see his effort mid-way through the second half go just wide of the post having done brilliantly to create the opportunity. His energy and intelligence in the press were important in the closing stages as Wolves held on to their lead. 7/10
Pedro Neto
An energetic cameo from Neto who was a useful outlet in the closing stages, getting Wolves up the pitch to relieve pressure on the back line. 6/10
Chiquinho
Came on for the final few minutes as Wolves held on for victory. N/A
Ciaran Barker is part of the Talking Wolves editorial team – you can follow him on Twitter here.
Ruben Neves – Wonderkid from Porto? Wolverhampton hero
Ruben Neves, undeniably special. A player who has simply encapsulated the hopes and dreams of Wolverhampton within his right foot. A player many consider to be the greatest since the legendary ‘Bully’ – the newest addition to the Wolverhampton icons catalogue.
Ruben joined his beloved Porto’s youth setup at the age of eight, bringing countless displays of footballing maturity at such a young age. For this reason, Julen Lopetegui invited the fresh-faced youngster to participate in the first team setup ahead of the 2014-15 campaign. Neves’ performances continued to impress; and the following season saw him become the youngest player to start in the Champions League at 18 years old. Despite his early success, Neves’ game time decreased in his final season with the Portuguese giants – much to the young maestro’s disappointment.
A young man, on the quest to prove his extraordinary potential on foreign land, took the plunge by joining Wolves in the summer of 2017. At the time, becoming the most expensive arrival in Championship history at a significant £16 million, sending the shockwaves throughout the rest of the league. The new-look Wolves didn’t just come to succeed, they came to dominate, and Neves was the jewel in the crown. The Championship winning season of 2017-18 will forever go down as one of the clubs’ greatest successes, the long-awaited promotion back to the big time, adjacent with the feeling of domestic dominance, Wolves were the kings again. Alongside accruing one of the highest points-tallies in the league’s history, a file of the greatest strikes was created under Ruben’s name solely. 30,000 stood in awe as Ruben painted pictures with a Mitre ball. The greatest of them all? Wednesday night, under the lights, you know the rest. Ruben struck Derby into disbelief, the greatest goal that Molineux had ever witnessed, a volley defying description.
Ruben Neves t-shirts out now
Wolves’ reintroduction to the Premier League brought Portuguese veteran, and legend, Joao Moutinho, forming one of the classiest midfield partnerships observed on Molineux soil.
The two brought a delightful mixture of composure and elegance, with fans pinching themselves upon the release of a team sheet. One astonishing season later and a 7th place finish, Wolverhampton Wanderers were back on the European stages. Ruben sat as the anchor of the Wolves midfield throughout a gruelling season, competing on multiple fronts, whilst maintaining a consistency that only the best are able to achieve. Yet the 2020/21 season was rocky for all involved with the football club, with player performances accurately reflecting the mood of the fans, deep within an unprecedented footballing landscape.
Nuno’s departure made space for Bruno Lage to enter the fray, giving Neves the licence to be free, a licence to kill. Ruben was freed from the shackles of the previous regime and given the platform to astonish the Molineux faithful once again. A delightful plethora of passing technique, partnered with an ease to dictate tempo (and some rather long hair), Neves has reached vintage Pirlo, perhaps a nod to his footballing idol. His quality is by no means only recognised by those of Wolverhampton, as is the case with any star, European goliaths remain sniffing for the Portuguese’s services. Transfer fees don’t represent his value; countless moments of fan emotion, bottled on his mantlepiece, sat alongside Player of the Year awards do instead. Underrated beyond belief, holding midfielders don’t come much better than Neves, and he just so happens to be at the core of the club we adore. Moreover, there is an unwavering loyalty from Ruben towards the club, a loyalty that is appreciated hugely. 24 years old, nearly four Premier League seasons and a Europa League run under his belt. Truly, a staggering talent, a future captain.
Watching Neves play in the old gold and black is beyond a pleasure, and long may it continue. Wonderkid from Porto? Wolverhampton hero. Nós te amamos, Ruben.
Sam Beeken is part of the Talking Wolves editorial team – you can follow him here
Arsenal 2-1 Wolves Match Report
Wolves’ trip to the capital ended in devastating fashion as two late goals punctured Wolves’ top four hopes. With both sides gunning for the Champions league places, it was the Gunners who came out on top, [providing a comfortable cushion from the chasing pack. Wolves were the outside bets to crash the top four party this season, but a loss at the hands of Arsenal all but managed to eliminate these chances entirely.
This was unfortunately a result that we deserved, another opportunity missed, for me. Bruno started with a positive line-up, bringing Hwang in for Dendoncker in what otherwise, was an unchanged side. Bruno seemed to trust the Neves and Moutinho partnership rather than overloading the middle of the park, providing an opportunity for Hwang Hee-Chan to force himself back into contention following an injury lay-off.
Similarly to the Spurs visit, the early Wolves press forced a mistake from the opposition back line, resulting in a dream start for Lage’s men and the travelling supporters as Wolves took the lead after just ten minutes. However, highlights for wolves were few and far between from this moment, there was a particularly alarming gulf in the quality of passing from either side. Arsenal managed to zip the ball around with confidence and accuracy, whereas Wolves opted for the unattractive long-ball tactic, to no avail unsurprisingly.
One key reason for the little success was due to another poor performance from Raul Jimenez. Once again, the Mexican looked way off the mark, as every ball into him left at the feet of an Arsenal defender. This became increasingly evident as Raul was our out-ball, Traore’s departure means that Raul’s hold up play is prioritised when managing difficult away fixtures, but nothing was sticking. Missing a gilt-edge opportunity to put us in a commanding two-goal lead doesn’t help his argument to start either. This begs the question: what can Fabio Silva do to gain another run of starts in the Premier League? Wolves are currently competing in one competition, the Premier League. If Silva’s chances to start are limited to cup competitions only, the pressure of Jimenez’s performances is simply lifted. Silva’s cameos have displayed that currently, there is more to his game than our number nine. He holds the ball up, links play effectively and appears to have a great partnership with Daniel Podence, our man in form.
Wolves have developed quite the reputation for stubborn defensive work and great game management this season, but last night’s showing reflected the game management of a certain Portuguese manager previous. Winning the ball back deep in our own box and launching hopeful balls that just invites more pressure. Typically, this tactic is adopted late on in the game to see a dogged performance to the end, seeing this from the 30th minute demonstrated such a lack of inspiration or belief to take the game to Arsenal. Heartbreak at the end, but a hugely disappointing performance.
Key moments
Wolves fans must have thought they were in dreamland after five minutes when Saiss poked home from an offside position during the second phase of a corner. Despite being disallowed, this provided momentum for the away side to attack the Gunners. As a result of the effective early press, Gabriel was forced to pass back towards his goalkeeper, and the loose ball was pounced on by the incoming Hwang Hee-Chan, who smartly rounded Ramsdale before slotting home from a narrow angle.
Bar Hwang’s fine finish, clear cut chances were hard to come by, the only real one of not was Jimenez dragging a perfect opportunity well wide of the post. Aside from that, it was one way traffic in favour of Arsenal, and deservedly got their equaliser through Nicolas Pepe, with a brilliant turn and finish, in a sea of old gold. Wolves’ heartbreak was then secured after a Jose Sa own goal – mishandling a tame effort from Lacazette in the 95th minute, sending the Emirates into raptures.
Man of the match – Rayan Ait Nouri
With an abundance of below par performances, finding a man of the match proved difficult. In a game of negative tactics, there were some real moments of positivity displayed by Rayan Ait-Nouri though. Whilst not all his forward runs resulted in a chance (sometimes conceding possession), it was welcome to see someone being confident on the ball, instead of opting for the easy punt up field with zero direction or intent to hit someone in gold. With Semedo unfortunately pulling up with a hamstring injury, there will be added onus for Rayan to inspire attacking phases, but a responsibility I think he’s more than mature enough to carry. Another good showing from our number 3.
Things to improve on
Another vital fixture is just around the corner, back to London for West Ham United. Again, a six pointer for those fighting for European football next season. In my opinion, bold changes are needed – the first of which being Fabio Silva in for Raul Jimenez. Raul hasn’t looked right all season, and five goals should not be an acceptable case to retain his position in the starting eleven. Secondly, win the midfield battle. It provides additional security whilst maintaining control of the tempo, something that was desperately missed against Arsenal.
Simply not good enough, a reaction is needed. Onto the Hammers.
Sam Beeken is part of the Talking Wolves editorial team – you can follow him here