Wolverhampton Wanderers

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  1. Humans are still neededpublished at 14:21 23 July

    Pat Nevin
    Former footballer and presenter

    View of the match ball with the Premier League logo as a player prepares to take a corner during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Everton FC at Emirates StadiumImage source, Getty Images

    It isn't quiet in one specific part of the major football clubs - the acquisitions department.

    I know that because I was once the acquisitions department - well me and the manager mostly. While each player returned from holidays like a bronzed Adonis, we were cooped up in a small darkened room, beavering the daylight hours away like vampires.

    There is plenty of guesswork in the media and a fair bit of leaking from the players and their people, but the clubs usually try to keep their transfer moves as quiet as possible.

    If word gets out that a player is available, they know they might lose him to another club or else the price will increase as a bidding war erupts.

    ‌These are high stakes games and many are impressed by those who gamble and go early.

    Manchester City have always been good enough, and let's be honest wealthy enough, to be able to do this well.

    The problem is that some clubs are trying to do the same thing and are ending up paying top dollar for less able players, because they haven't done their due diligence in the market.

    This is another area where the use of data, or maybe over-reliance on pure data, comes into play - feed all of the numbers in, let the technology do the crunching, and out comes the answer.

    The problem is that everyone else has got the same or similar data.

    What is needed, of course, is good human knowledge and the vision to aid the use of the information they have got. This is why these departments should be busy just now, they shouldn't just be doing deals which are admittedly very complex legal and financial documents these days.

    Even more time should be spent on ensuring the new £75m player hasn't got a hidden weakness in his game or even the odd skeleton in his closet.

    Pat Nevin was writing for the BBC Football Extra Newsletter

  2. Wolves target Adams set for Torinopublished at 07:51 22 July

    Nizaar Kinsella
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    Che Adams in action for ScotlandImage source, Getty Images

    Scotland striker Che Adams has agreed a contract in principle at Torino and is set for a medical on Monday.

    The Serie A side are believed to have beaten Premier League clubs to Adams' signature, with Wolves having reportedly been interested.

    The 28-year-old is expected to sign a multi-year deal in Italy after his contract at Southampton expired at the end of June.

    Adams scored 17 goals in 46 games as the Saints won promotion back to the Premier League by beating Leeds United in the Championship play-off final.

  3. Do clubs actually play more games?published at 11:11 19 July

    Injured Premier League footballerImage source, Getty Images

    It seems inevitable a host of Premier League managers will point to fixture congestion in the months to come.

    When injuries mount, or when time on the training ground is squeezed, coaches often reference the intense nature of the calendar.

    But research conducted by the respected CIES Football Observatory has delivered data which shows clubs are - on average - not playing more competitive games than they have in the last couple of decades.

    The CIES looked at 677 clubs across 40 leagues. In looking at a period from 2012 to 2024, its findings show in 2023-24, the average club played 42.4 competitive matches. In 2014-15 that figure was 42.6 and in 2020-21 it hit 43.9.

    And if focus is placed on sides competing in the Champions League, data gathered between 2000 and 2024 also shows sides are not setting fixture records in the current game, as some managers may like to loosely imply.

    In looking at the five major European Leagues, the CIES claim Champions League competitors played an average of 50.8 matches last season.

    In 2020-21 they averaged 57.9 and in 2002-03 they contested 55.2.

    Manchester United played in 52 competitive games last season, down from highs of 71 in 2020-21 and 66 in 2008-09.

    Across all of the clubs analysed, only 4% played more than 60 games last season. In 2012-13, the figure stood at 5.1%.

    While clubs may play added friendlies and - it would be fair to say - individual matches tend to be longer given increased injury time in the current game, the data shows that competitive fixture numbers are flat or have in most cases fallen, even if disgruntled managers say otherwise.

    The full study is here, external

  4. Super Mario?published at 16:32 18 July

    We asked you who you'd like to see made Wolves captain for the new campaign.

    Two men got the brunt of selections, with Mario Lemina on 56% and Craig Dawson on 32%.

    It seems you'd like one of these to lead Gary O'Neil's side as the likes of Matheus Cunha (6%), Nelson Semedo (2%), Jose Sa (2%) and Joao Gomes (1%) were peripheral when you picked your preferred captain.

    The figures above are at the time of writing and the selections are available here.

    Mario LeminaImage source, Getty Images
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  5. 'A quiet lynchpin' - will O'Neil make Dawson captain?published at 13:41 18 July

    Nick Mashiter
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    Craig Dawson in Wolves trainingImage source, Getty Images

    Craig Dawson's influence cannot be underestimated.

    At about £3m from West Ham in January 2023, the defender was an absolute steal for what he has given to Wolves and he has led by example.

    Dawson's nine-year spell at rivals West Brom has been forgotten because of his commitment and assured nature. He has often been the quiet lynchpin of a defence which has sometimes needed a senior head to guide it.

    A groin injury forced him to miss the final 12 matches of last season. He did not play following the 3-0 defeat at Newcastle United in early March - and perhaps it was no coincidence Wolves' form collapsed.

    An FA Cup quarter-final exit to Coventry City and just two wins without Dawson in the run-in meant the side slipped out of European contention.

    At 34, Dawson cannot be expected to go on forever, but Gary O’Neil knows he will be able to rely on him.

  6. Will Wolves return to 'tub-thumping' type of skipper?published at 08:31 18 July

    Mike Taylor
    BBC Radio WM reporter

    Mario Lemina in Wolves trainingImage source, Getty Images

    Not all captains are the same. Some lead with their personality, as Conor Coady did so effectively for Wolves, steering and cajoling their teams through crises and triumphs.

    Others are quieter - on the field at least - and rely on the excellence of their play to provide inspiration and reassurance.

    Maximilian Kilman was in this category, but after his departure Wolves are likely to turn back to the tub-thumping type.

    Mario Lemina arrived at Molineux only 18 months ago, yet it is already hard to remember the team without him.

    His best work was seen less frequently in the second half of last season, in part because he was deployed in an unsuitable position to fill in for an absent forward.

    It was typical of him to take on the responsibility and give it his all.

    His performances did as much as anyone to repair the relationship between the team and the supporters, which had fractured in the months before his arrival.

    They relate to Lemina because he plays the game in the way they would - if they could.

    His relentless competitive spirit has marked him out as a leader on the field since he signed for Wolves, and the armband should suit him.

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  7. Who could be Wolves' next captain? Make your choicepublished at 08:04 18 July

    Phil Cartwright
    BBC Sport journalist

    Max Kilman's departure to West Ham United means Wolves will have a new captain for the start of the 2024-25 campaign.

    Who are the contenders to wear the armband next season?

    Mario Lemina in action for WolvesImage source, Getty Images

    Mario Lemina has excelled in Wolves' midfield since joining from Nice in January 2023.

    His all-action, combative displays have endeared him to Wolves fans, who voted him as their player of the season in 2023-24.

    Lemina led Wolves out in their pre-season friendly win against Como in Spain on Monday.

    Craig Dawson in action for WolvesImage source, Getty Images

    Aged 34, Craig Dawson is the oldest outfield player in Wolves' squad and is vastly experienced, having made 288 Premier League appearances in his career.

    Dawson's organisational and leadership qualities were key to the team avoiding relegation in 2022-23 and the side's progression under Gary O'Neil last season.

    Matheus Cunha in action for WolvesImage source, Getty Images

    Matheus Cunha

    Wolves' leading scorer last season with 14 goals in all competitions, the Brazil international forward is clearly popular among the fan base and his team-mates alike.

    A pivotal player in Wolves' attack, he also played a key role in Wolves' acquisition of Brazilian teenager Pedro Lima this summer.

    Any other contenders?

    Portugal right-back Nelson Semedo was the players' choice for player of the season last term and has been part of a wider leadership group at the club for the past year.

    Jose Sa has been almost ever-present in goal during his three seasons with Wolves, while 23-year-old Joao Gomes is now a regular starter in Brazil's midfield and highly thought of - could the next stage of his development be in a leadership role at Molineux?

    Pick who you think should be the next skipper at Molineux here

  8. Hwang speaks out on alleged abusepublished at 13:09 17 July

    Hwang Hee chan of Wolverhampton Wanderers during a pre-season training session on July 10, 2024Image source, Getty Images

    Wolves forward Hwang Hee-chan says his fellow players told him they would leave the pitch when he suffered alleged racist abuse in a pre-season friendly.

    The club are pursuing their complaint against Como, while the Italian club say they do not consider the reference racist and that "the reaction of certain Wolves players has seen the incident blown out of proportion".

    On Instagram, external, Hwang has posted a picture of himself on the pitch with the caption: "Racism is intolerable in sports and in all aspects of life.

    "After the incident, the coaching staff and my teammates immediately told me that they would leave the field with me if needed, and they kept checking on my wellbeing.

    "I am very grateful to my teammates once again."

    Hwang continued: "Despite of all this, I wanted to carry on and we did what we had to do on the pitch! Lastly, thank you to everyone who sent supportive messages.

    "There is no room for racism."

  9. Premier League pre-season - who does your team face and when?published at 12:04 16 July

    General view of Premier League ballImage source, Getty Images

    The football never stops.

    Euro 2024 has barely finished but Premier League clubs have already started turning their attention to pre-season friendlies.

    The games are spread across the globe, from Tokyo and New York to Sligo and Crawley.

    So who will your team face? And when and where are the matches?

    Keep across all the fixtures and results here

  10. Wolves beat Como in pre-season friendlypublished at 19:42 15 July

    Matheus Cunha in action for Wolves against ComoImage source, Wolves via Getty Images

    Wolves beat Italian side Como 1-0 in a pre-season friendly during their training camp in Spain.

    Matt Doherty headed Wolves' second-half winner from a Rayan Ait-Nouri free-kick, against a Como team that will play in Serie A next season.

  11. Wolves reject Marseille offer for Hwangpublished at 11:47 12 July

    Nick Mashiter
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    Hwang Hee-chan in action for WolvesImage source, Getty Images

    Wolverhampton Wanderers have rejected a £21m bid from Marseille for striker Hwang Hee-chan.

    The Ligue 1 side, managed by former Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi, have been told the South Korea international is not for sale.

    Marseille are looking for a new striker after selling Vitinha to Genoa and Iliman Ndiaye to Everton.

    Hwang moved to Molineux from RB Leipzig, initially on loan, in 2021 and has scored 22 goals in 94 appearances, including 13 last season.

    Wolves have already boosted their forward line after signing striker Jorgen Strand Larsen from Celta Vigo on an initial loan deal, before an expected £23m transfer once certain clauses are triggered during the season.

    Gary O'Neil's side are under no pressure to sell their stars after captain Max Kilman's £40m departure to West Ham earlier this month.

    They would like to move on Fabio Silva and Goncalo Guedes, who were on loan at Rangers and Villarreal respectively last season.

    The pair have not travelled to Marbella with the squad for pre-season training.

  12. Dawson on being back and fitpublished at 16:10 11 July

    Craig DawsonImage source, Getty Images

    Wolves defender Craig Dawson says "it is nice to be back and feeling fit," after undergoing groin surgery.

    The 34-year-old missed the final 12 matches of last season due to injury but has now returned to training to prepare for the new Premier League campaign.

    "It was obviously disappointing to pick up an injury, but it was good to get it fixed," he told the club website. "To feel fit and be back on the training pitch is the main thing.

    "I was just disappointed not to be able to play because in my career I have not really had any injuries, so I was disappointed to pick one up and it was tough watching the back end of the season. It is nice to be back involved, back with the lads, and feeling fit.

    "Throughout my career I’ve always played, injured or not, and I’ve given everything for the team. I did that towards the end, but it got to a point where we had to look a bit longer term and I needed the operation.

    "It was a long operation, six or seven hours, so feeling fit again is nice. It is nice to be back and involved with the lads."

  13. Derry hopes to see pre-season bondingpublished at 12:11 11 July

    Shaun DerryImage source, Getty Images

    First-team coach Shaun Derry says Wolves' Marbella training camp "is an opportunity to bring the squad together and build relationships" before the the start of another busy Premier League campaign.

    It is also manager Gary O'Neil's first full pre-season with the club after he took charge just days before the start of the last campaign.

    "It is about the time we spend on the training pitch," Derry told the club website, external. "This is getting the fitness levels back and making sure you understand you can't go too quickly into pre-season.

    "From a football perspective, they will be building relationships on the pitch, but it is so important to build them off it as well. It will be interesting from a coaching perspective, just seeing where they sit at the tables and the relationships they build off the pitch."

    Not all of the squad have travelled to Marbella due to international commitments, which Derry says is in itself is "quite complex" to navigate.

    "To organise a pre-season, you have to take into consideration what the last six weeks have looked like," Derry added. "The Euros and Copa America are still taking place and the boys have played international games over the summer.

    "It is a staggered approach coming back to pre-season and once the latter stages come to light, around the America tour, you get all your players back and you can push forward towards the start of the season."

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  14. Wolves turn down Arsenal's Bentley bidpublished at 11:50 10 July

    Nick Mashiter
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Daniel BentleyImage source, Getty Images

    Wolverhampton Wanderers have rejected a £50,000 bid from Arsenal for goalkeeper Daniel Bentley.

    The Gunners are looking for a back-up for David Raya, with doubts surrounding Aaron Ramsdale's future.

    But their offer falls well short of Wolves' valuation, especially as Gary O'Neil's side would need to source a replacement.

    Wolves start their Premier League campaign on 17 August at Arsenal and would only have Tom King, who joined from Northampton last year, as senior support for number one Jose Sa.

    Ramsdale's position at Arsenal is uncertain after he lost his place to Raya last season. He made just six Premier League appearances, and 11 in all competitions, having joined from Sheffield United in 2021.

    Bentley, who joined Wolves from Bristol City in January 2023, made just five Premier League appearances last season.

    The 30-year-old is in Spain on Wolves' pre-season training camp before they fly to the USA for games against West Ham United, Crystal Palace and RB Leipzig.

    The Gunners also face Bournemouth, Manchester United and Liverpool in the States.