Football Season Guide

Following a couple of impressive Premier League campaigns, Wolves struggled to find consistency in 2020/21 and failed to seal a top-half spot. Serious skull injury to top scorer Raul Jimenez saw Wolves struggle to finish chances and winter loanee Willian Jose failed to impress in attack. After four fine seasons in charge, Nuno Espirito Santo departed to Tottenham and Wolves appointed Bruno Lage, who will attempt to help the team rediscover their form. Starting goalkeeper Rui Particio moved to Roma, while Willian Jose and Vitinha returned to their parent clubs Real Sociedad and Porto, respectively. Wolves signed a solid goalkeeper with Champions League experience in Olympiacos’ Jose Sa, while Rayan Aït Nouri’s deal was made permanent. Promising centre back Yerson Mosquera joined to add depth to the defence and Trincao signed on loan from Barcelona to boost their attacking options. Lage used a 4-4-2 formation at former club Benfica and applied this formation in Wolves’ opening three pre-season games, but he also tried out Nuno’s 3-4-3 system ahead of next season. Meanwhile, Jimenez, who joined the team’s preseason preparations, found the back of net in summer friendlies and this could serve as a huge boost in his confidence. Boasting the likes of Pedro Neto, Fabio Silva, Daniel Podence, Adama Traore, Trincao and the fit-again Jimenez in attack, Wolves have one of the most talented frontlines outside the Premier League’s top four. Their main doubt is whether Wolves can instantly adapt to the new tactics imposed on the team by new boss Lage. The Portuguese has no experience as Premier League head coach and it remains to be seen whether he can bring out the best in Wolves’ Portuguese prodigies.