Despite Wolves’ phenomenal success under Nuno, I think most fans will be in agreement that come the next transfer window, the club should add a few more signings to help give a bit more depth and quality to the currently smallest squad in the league, as the demands and challenges presented to the team grow with each success. Additionally, given the Premier League quotas, English (or Homegrown) players are at a premium and it is important for the scouting staff to always be on the lookout for the best talent developed in English football, so here’s a realistic list of 5 English players I think Wolves should sign.
Jack O’Connell
Probably the least likely signing on this list, Jack O’Connell would be an excellent addition to the Wolves team. Sheffield United’s incredible performance so far in their return to the Premier League is largely down to the defensive capabilities of their back 3 and although any of the trio of centre-halves would be welcome in the Wolves squad, I think the left centre-back role is most in need of cover. O’Connell’s stats speak for themselves and he would also help add another dynamic to the team as he makes forward runs during the game, distorting the oppositions defence and creating space, not to mention he would fit right into the Wolves set up having already played in a similar formation.
Max Aarons
Norwich are currently sitting rock bottom of the table and are looking likely relegation candidates, despite many football fans recognising the often impressive and attractive performances the team are putting in. Max Aarons has been a key component to this and is very young and has bags of potential, a Norwich relegation may see him wanting to leave the club and I think he could fit nicely into a right wing-back role as back up for Doherty.
Dwight McNeil
Linked with a Wolves move for the past two transfer windows, McNeil is already a stand-out player for Burnley at the age of 20 and this proven track record in the Premier League shows there’s definitely more to come from the youngster. He has excellent attacking and specifically crossing capabilities and would provide a great option for Nuno down the left-hand side. Burnley’s style of play requires their wingers to have good defensive abilities and McNeil has proven to rise up to the challenge and so I could even see him being deployed as a wing-back if need be, playing a similar sort of role as Barry Douglas did during Nuno’s title-winning championship season.
Matty Cash
Great defensively and going forward, Matty Cash has been one of the best players in the Championship this season. I believe he would excel at a role on the right and would perfectly fit Nuno’s style of play, he’s another player who is already proving his quality at a young age and so I would love to see him in the old gold and black. The coup of youngster Luke Matheson, as well as Dion Sanderson impressing on loan at Cardiff, may make a move for both Matty Cash and Max Aarons less likely, however, no one can doubt their quality and they would guarantee that we have a great secondary option if Doherty is injured or not in form as well as adding to the excellent young talent Wolves have at their disposal.
Josh Dasilva
A hidden gem of a signing, Dasilva is arguably the type of signing Wolves will need most this summer if Dendoncker leaves for Lazio. A dynamic and extremely promising central midfielder, Dasilva has had a very impressive season in the Championship with 8 goals and 3 assists so far to his name. I think he would fit right into Nuno’s midfield, both being a dangerous threat going forward, whilst still having the defensive side to his game and suiting playing a deeper role rather than an out-and-out attacking-midfield player. Having this consistent goal threat in central midfield may help Wolves break down teams that play negative football and sit deep which seems to be the Achilles heel with Nuno’s style of play and so I think Dasilva is a player Wolves should really look to sign this summer.
Cameron Bruce is part of the Talking Wolves editorial team – you can follow him on Twitter here.