90min
·5 August 2022
90min
·5 August 2022
Wolves are one of the more divisive teams in the Premier League.
Their resolute defence saw them threaten to rival the European spots last season, but Bruno Lage's side were ultimately let down by an attack that saw them bag just 38 goals in as many games - the lowest of any side outside the bottom three.
So far, they haven't addressed that shortcoming in attack, although the return of Pedro Neto from a nasty knee injury is a welcome sight.
Here's all you need to know about Wolves heading into the new season.
It's been a quiet summer for Wolves. Hwang Hee-chan will begin his first full season at the club after his loan was made permanent a few months ago, but the only new face in the squad is that of centre-back Nathan Collins, who joins from Burnley to replace Romain Saiss.
As far as outgoings go, the Fabio Silva experiment has taken a new route as the young striker has been sent to Anderlecht on loan.
Numbers subject to change before end of transfer window
1) Jose Sa3) Rayan Ait-Nouri4) Nathan Collins6) Bruno Jordao7) Pedro Neto8) Ruben Neves9) Raul Jimenez10) Daniel Podence11) Hwang Hee-chan13) Matija Sarkic14) Yerson Mosquera15) Willy Boly16) Conor Coady18) Morgan Gibbs-White19) Jonny Otto20) Chiquinho22) Nelson Semedo23) Max Kilman24) Toti28) Joao Moutinho32) Leander Dendoncker37) Adama Traore39) Luke Cundle56) Connor Ronan
It's very much a team effort at Wolves, with a handful of players standing out above the crowd but none up on a pedestal of their own.
Jose Sa was one of the Premier League's most quietly efficient goalkeepers last year, aided by Conor Coady and the blossoming Max Kilman in front of him, while the midfield duo of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho continue to excite.
There aren't many fresh faces this year, but there are a handful of Wolves players who look like candidates for breakout seasons, such as left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri or new signing Nathan Collins.
The recovery of 22-year-old winger Chiquinho from a nasty knee injury is one to keep an eye on, and while he might not get many minutes, centre-back Yerson Mosquera is another intriguing prospect.
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As mentioned at the start, Wolves are tough to place. They're obviously a good side but it feels like they have hit a ceiling and haven't made the moves needed to break through that.
The competition for European places is so intense these days, with rivals all getting stronger and stronger, and it doesn't feel like Wolves have done enough to keep up the pace towards the top end of the table.
A year lost in mid-table obscurity may well be on the cards.