Wolves 2-0 Burnley: Guedes catches the eye published at 21:24 28 August 2024
21:24 28 August 2024
Emlyn Begley BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
It is safe to say not many people this summer would have expected Goncalo Guedes to be scoring twice for Wolves in a Carabao Cup game.
His opener against Burnley, a close-range back-post finish from Pedro Lima's cross, was his first goal for Wolves in 599 days.
He would only have to wait 16 minutes (plus the half-time break) for his second goal - a lovely dinked effort from Daniel Podence's through ball.
His future at the club looked over when he joined Benfica on loan in January 2023 with then boss Julen Lopetegui saying he did not want to be at the club.
Another loan spell at Benfica, and then one at Villarreal, followed and it seemed as if his return to Molineux this summer would just be a temporary one while he found a new home.
He didn't go on their pre-season tour of Spain - as expected - but then in a surprise twist he did travel to the USA and became a part of the Wolves squad again.
And now after his double against Burnley - and with just two days left of the transfer window - the odds are that he will stay.
The standing ovation he left to after 75 minutes suggests Wolves fans may well be OK with that.
Wolves 2-0 Burnley: Send us your thoughtspublished at 21:24 28 August 2024
21:24 28 August 2024
Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?
What did you make of your team's performance, Wolves fans?
When is the Carabao Cup third-round draw?published at 12:20 28 August 2024
12:20 28 August 2024
Image source, Getty Images
The draw for the third round of the Carabao Cup will take place on Wednesday at the conclusion of the second-round tie between Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United.
The seven English clubs involved in European competitions this season, including holders Liverpool, will enter at the third-round stage.
Ties will take place on weeks commencing 16 and 23 September.
Because there are rounds of Champions League and Europa League fixtures also scheduled for those two midweeks, the six clubs involved in those competitions - Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Tottenham and Manchester United - will be kept apart to ensure they can fulfil their Carabao Cup tie in the alternate midweek to their European fixture.
Those six clubs will take part in a pre-draw before Forest v Newcastle to decide if they will be at home or away in the third round, with a main draw determining the 16 ties later in the evening.
Should Chelsea progress to the next phase of the Conference League, they will not be in action in that competition again until the start of October.
Gossip: Wolves near deal for keeper Johnstonepublished at 07:33 28 August 2024
'It's great to have this free-flowing attack, but at what cost?'published at 12:41 27 August 2024
12:41 27 August 2024
Dazzling Dave Fan writer
The match against Chelsea starkly highlighted Wolves' defensive frailties. Chelsea sliced through the Wolves' back line, exposing huge gaps and leaving Wolves chasing shadows especially second half. Gary O'Neil's switch to his preferred back four played a part in the defeat and he faces a big dilemma: stick or twist?
Despite the glaring defensive issues, it's not all doom and gloom. The set-up allows our attacking players more freedom, with fluid playing styles and dynamic forward movements. Jorgen Strand Larsen and Matheus Cunha seem destined for an exciting partnership up top. It's great to have this free-flowing attack, but at what cost?
Rayan Ait-Nouri is a conundrum to be solved. He possesses remarkable talent, yet his prowess shines in attack, not defence. Placing him as a left-back misaligns with his abilities, creating defensive gaps that leave Toti vulnerable. Wolves face a challenge, having loaned out Hugo Bueno and lacking alternative left-backs. Gary must address this issue to make a back four effective for Wolves.
Given the defensive lapses is it time to consider a reshuffle? Nelson Semedo serves one more match ban against Burnley in the Carabao Cup and will surely then return to the starting XI. This would mean that Matt Doherty could potentially fill that left-back role. Alternatively, Toti could move out and cover a left-back/centre-back role, with Dawson filling the centre-back position. We saw a bit of this hybrid system against Chelsea, but it wasn’t an immediate fix.
With the transfer window running down, Wolves must bring in reinforcements that fit this system. Integrating new signings can be a slow process, and with the season under way, O’Neil might find himself racing against time.
O’Neil faces a dilemma and it’s a problem he must solve quickly. Does he keep faith with the back four or switch to Wolves' tried and tested back five?
Traore unlikely to leave unless replacements found published at 11:10 27 August 2024
11:10 27 August 2024
Nick Mashiter BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Feyenoord have enquired about Wolves' Boubacar Traore but the midfielder is unlikely to leave Molineux as it stands.
The Eredivisie club asked about a possible loan move but, unless Wolves bring in new midfielders, Traore will stay in the Midlands.
Traore played for Mali at the Olympics and was the final squad member to return ahead of the start of the season.
He did not make the squad for the opening day defeat at Arsenal and was an unused substitute in Sunday's 6-2 loss at home Chelsea.
The 23-year-old initially signed on loan from Metz in 2022 before making the move permanent a year later. He has made 38 appearances, scoring once.
Feyenoord have already taken left back Hugo Bueno on loan from Wolves this summer.
Wolves are focused on bringing in players ahead of Friday's transfer deadline with talks with Arsenal on-going over a move for goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
They also had a £20m offer rejected by Burnley for winger Luca Koleosho last week.
'It's like a game of Kerplunk'published at 08:15 27 August 2024
08:15 27 August 2024
Media caption,
The i newspaper's chief football writer Daniel Storey spoke to the Monday Night Club about pressure on Wolves, who are yet to register a point after two Premier League matches:
"They've repeatedly had to sell key players and they've now sold Pedro Neto and Max Kilman this year. It's like a game of 'Kerplunk'- there's only so many straws you can take out of that team before everything starts to fall.
"At the start under Gary O'Neil, it felt like everything was moving in the right direction. He sounds a little bit frustrated about what's happening in the transfer market and the fans certainly are.
"They are also a bit frustrated that O'Neil has gone to a back four when they thought the back three was working. There's just little disconnects in the team that they need to iron out quickly."
Wolves continue talks with Arsenal for goalkeeper Ramsdale published at 18:32 26 August 2024
18:32 26 August 2024
Nick Mashiter BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Aaron Ramsdale joined Arsenal from Sheffield United in 2021
Wolves remain in talks with Arsenal over goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
The England international could cost Wolves about £20m, with an initial loan offer being made last week.
There is a desire from parties to get the deal done but it is seen as a complicated and expensive one, especially given Wolves' financial restrictions.
The Gunners would prefer a straight sale rather than an initial loan for the 26-year-old, who has lost his place in Mikel Arteta's team to David Raya.
Ramsdale, who cost Arsenal l £24m when they signed him from Sheffield United in 2021, has two years left on his deal at Emirates Stadium but wants first-team football.
On Sunday, Wolves boss Gary O'Neil warned that the club needed to be satisfied with their transfer business having sold Pedro Neto to Chelsea and Max Kilman to West Ham for nearly £100m.
Wolves are not expected to spend heavily in the final week of the window but Sunday's 6-2 home defeat by Chelsea acted as a wake-up call.
O'Neil started just one summer signing - Jorgen Strand Larsen - in the loss.
He said: "Once the window shuts it doesn't open for a good few months. When it shuts we need to be comfortable with where we are.
"There's a lot of work for myself and I need to get more out of the group we have. Then there's an understanding the Premier League is tough and if you sell good players it makes you weaker.
"We'll see if it's a break-even window by the time it shuts next Friday. We have raised some good funds and hopefully we can use them well in the next few days."
Wolves were also keen on Burnley winger Luca Koleosho but hopes of agreeing a deal with the Clarets are fading after a £20m offer was rejected last week.
'It all comes down to me' - O'Neilpublished at 15:28 26 August 2024
15:28 26 August 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Wolves boss Gary O'Neil is taking "responsibility" and not "blaming players" for the side's heavy defeat by Chelsea on Sunday.
They suffered a 6-2 loss to the Blues in a chaotic match that saw them peg the west Londoners back twice in the first half, before a 14-minute hat-trick from Noni Madueke took the game away from them early in the second 45 minutes.
The defeat means Wolves are without a win in their opening two Premier League matches and took a heavy hit to their goal difference as they sit second from bottom in the table.
"I want to be really clear, I'm not sat here blaming players, I'll never ever do that. It's always our responsibility," said the head coach.
"Whatever goes wrong out there whether it's part of my plan or a misunderstanding, it all comes down to me.
"A tough one for them [fans] because they were probably sat there enjoying their team having a real good go against a team that spent billions.
"Going toe to toe and then feeling like there was a huge gulf between the two sides for the rest of it.
"A tough afternoon for the fans which I apologise for on my part because I don't want them to suffer games like that. We played Arsenal and Chelsea, lost our captain [Max Kilman] and probably best player [Pedro Neto], if anyone thought this first two weeks was going to be easy, I knew it wasn't."
Wolves 2-6 Chelsea - the fans' verdictpublished at 12:00 26 August 2024
12:00 26 August 2024
We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Wolves and Chelsea.
Here are some of your comments:
Wolves fans
Julian: Woeful and inadequate defensive display, particularly in the second half. Far too open and showed tactical naivety against an average at best opposition, who did little to score most of their goals. Most of their goals came from our non-existent left defensive side. Open attacking play is for basketball, not lower mid-table Premier League teams. Wake up.
Phil: Embarrassing. At least three of our players looked like they didn't want to play for Wolves! Did we have a tactical plan? This is certain relegation form.
Malcolm: Why do Wolves try to play in a 4-4-2 when it is obvious the current players perform much better in a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 shape. The defence looked vulnerable from the start, but they capitulated in the second half. We need to bring in a goalkeeper and another experienced centre-back before the deadline. Jorgen Strand Larsen looks like a really good striker.
David: A team that looks ripe for relegation. This is what you get for selling your best players and buying second-rate replacements. I did forecast this outcome weeks ago. Fosun have a lot to answer for, and our chairman who is running the club down and telling fans to support another team.
Chelsea fans
Paul: I was well impressed with the second half display. The first half was too open for my liking. I'm really glad for Noni Madueke with his hat-trick and happy for Joao Felix on his second debut goal. It was a lot better than his last debut with the sending off. I hope we shine a lot more this season.
Mike: Madueke and Palmer looked the real deal playing together, albeit Wolves were not exactly on top form. I see speculation already that Noni Madueke will be the next big name to be sold by the club and, with the current owners, nothing would surprise me...
James: It is brilliant to see these lads perform like that. The youngest team in the league are making a name for themselves. I'm so happy to see Noni Madueke get his moment - he always gives his all. Absolutely brilliant from everyone.
Baz: Whatever was said at half-time, it certainly flicked a switch and unlocked Chelsea's talent. More of this please!
O'Neil gives Wolves transfer warningpublished at 11:26 26 August 2024
11:26 26 August 2024
Nick Mashiter BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Boss Gary O'Neil has warned Wolves must be "comfortable" with their transfer business when the window shuts on Friday.
They lost out to Ipswich for Dara O'Shea, who moved to Portman Road from Burnley, while looking for a replacement for £40m Max Kilman after his July move to West Ham.
The club still want to sign Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, although the Gunners rather sell the England international with Wolves having offered an initial loan with an option to buy.
O'Neil said: "Everyone knows the financial restrictions we have and have been there since I arrived. We have raised good funds in this window and the squad will need help.
"Once the window shuts it doesn't open for a good few months, when it shuts we need to be comfortable with where we are.
"There's a lot of work for myself, I need to get more out of the group we have. Then there's an understanding the Premier League is tough and if you sell good players it makes you weaker.
"We'll see if it's a breakeven window by the time it shuts next Friday. We have raised some good funds and hopefully we can use them well in the next few days."
Transfer thoughts to dominate after Chelsea thrashingpublished at 17:33 25 August 2024
17:33 25 August 2024
Nick Mashiter BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Friday's transfer deadline looms large and Wolves have some thinking to do.
Burnley's Luca Koleosho is a target but, after a defensive nightmare against Chelsea, the work to bring in reinforcements, after Max Kilman's £40m move to West Ham, may intensify.
Wolves missed out on Dara O'Shea, who has joined Ipswich, and it would be naïve to not expect the club to reassess during the week.
They battled back well, levelling twice in the first half, but fell apart after the break as Chelsea cut through at will.
Rayan Ait-Nouri had an afternoon to forget and he was culpable as Noni Madueke ran riot on the right-wing in the second half. The winger was given far too much space and, while he finished his chances well, he is unlikely to be gifted such opportunities by other teams.
If there was a positive amid the defensive chaos, Jorgen Strand Larsen showed off glimpses of what he can offer in terms of his presence, awareness and instincts.
Conceding five goals and losing will take the shine off his goal-scoring home debut, but the Norway striker showed enough to suggest that he has what it takes to adapt to the Premier League quickly.
Image source, Getty Images
