Wolves Are Looking Set To Take The Premier League By Storm

Wolves Are Looking Set To Take The Premier League By Storm
22:10, 21 Jun 2018


Julen Lopetegui has been in the news a lot lately. Last week, he agreed to take over from Zinedine Zidane as Real Madrid manager after the World Cup, which he was preparing for with Spain; but his joy was short lived. Two days before the tournament, he was sacked and the Federation cited only being told about the move five minutes before the official announcement as the reason for their controversial decision. It could have been so different, though, had Lopetegui decided to take Wolverhampton Wanderers up on their offer to manage in the Championship two years ago.

New investment brought the promise of an exciting project at Molineux in the summer of 2016; their ambitions were big and they were willing to chase the best in order to achieve them. But there was an acceptance that, once his country had come calling, Lopetegui could do little else but go back on the deal that was all but done.

Wolves scrambled for a Plan B, but neither the Italian Walter Zenga nor Paul Lambert cut it for the new Chinese owners, Fosun International; they wanted Premier League football and nothing else would do. Lambert was replaced last summer by another man who could rival the reputation of Lopetegui.

It was no surprise when Nuno Espírito Santo guided them to promotion with ease last season, especially considering the might of his backing in the Black Country.

Both Nuno and Lopetegui had managed Porto, but the former had arguably built a better reputation on the club scene after his spell in charge of Valencia between 2014 and 2015, which ended in tears but not before he had guided Los Che back to the Champions League in his only full season.

His time in Spain and now the West Midlands share a common factor in the success; the presence of super-agent Jorge Mendes. Not only does he represent Nuno, as well as Jose Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo, but as a close friend of both Valencia owner Peter Lim and Wolves chief Jeff Shi, he has brought a number of his talented clients to both clubs.

As they dominated the Championship last season, many of Wolves’ rivals questioned the legality of Mendes’ role and influence at the club, but they didn’t care one bit as they headed for the Premier League at breakneck speed. Ruben Neves was the biggest and most surprising signing of last summer, costing £15million from Porto, where he became the youngest Champions League captain in history aged just 18.

Known for his incredible passing range and ability to control the tempo of a game, he was the kind of player most of Europe’s elite would have loved. Anybody unfamiliar with Neves soon understood his talent and subsequent importance; he was nominated for the Championship Player of the Year award and, very unluckily, missed out on Portugal’s squad for the World Cup this summer.

Diogo Jota, on loan from Atletico Madrid, Leo Bonatini, on loan from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal and Helder Costa, the breakout star of the previous campaign who they signed permanently for £13million from Benfica a year ago, played crucial roles in last season’s success.

There is new pressure on all of them, provided Jota and Bonatini follow Costa in staying at the club; they must step up to the Premier League. But looking at Nuno, the squad, which is complimented by experienced professionals like Connor Coady and captain Danny Batth, and the club as a whole, there is a bullish self belief about their chances next season. They don’t want to be involved in a relegation battle.

Putting to one side the bizarre deal that saw Benik Afobe, who re-joined the club from Bournemouth on a temporary basis in January, sign for the club in a £12million deal just days before leaving for Stoke City, Wolves have already made a huge statement.

Benfica striker Raul Jimenez is already through the door, completing his move before heading to the World Cup with Mexico, where Wolves fans can get a closer look at him. He may have only scored 18 league goals in three seasons in Portugal, but he adds even more dynamism to a team that played arguably the best football seen in a Championship last season.

Comparing Wolves to last season’s promoted sides, Newcastle United, Brighton and Hove Albion and Huddersfield Town, is like chalk and cheese. They took a cautious, gradual approach to their first season back in the top flight, and it served them well as they all survived; Wolves, though, are making sure they ruffle feathers on their return.

Rumours of a deal which would dwarf anything done before refuse to go away; Andre Silva has been an excellent striker for Portugal, but he failed to transfer that form onto the club scene at AC Milan. Wolves are mulling over another bid for him having failed with a first in the winter; it may seem unrealistic, but that notion has not stopped them once in the last two years.

Often, big football club projects are not all they appear to be, and there are risks involved; but Shi appears to be keen on taking Wolves to the very top. It may take some time, but they are coming through on the promises made when they tried to lure the new Real Madrid boss to Molineux. The future looks very bright indeed.

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