Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolves boss Gary O'Neil has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the 6-2 thumping: "[In the second half] We gave them three goals from nothing really. We gave them one in the first half too. Their second goal came from our own goal kick. The free kick where we don't get back under the ball... these are crazy ways to concede goals.

"Then the fourth and the fifth happened when we had people out of position. We lost our way. It was already a crazy first half. We showed moments of quality but, regardless of what you do with the ball and in your shape, if you give goals away like we did, it was going to be a tough afternoon.

"We gave Chelsea a lot of help, so there is an awful lot I need to fix."

On whether these were early season mistakes or just basic errors: "They were unacceptable from us. I am all for positivity and, when the lads do well, they know they have done well. But from all of us, as a group, to concede those three goals the way we do, it is unacceptable.

"[There was] No left-back in place for the fourth and fifth goals. We allow them to pass straight through the middle of us from a free kick. It was a crazy way to go from the score being at 2-2.

"From 15 or 20 minutes into the game up to half-time, we were the better side. We were in a really good moment. We shoot ourselves in the foot by letting them score from our goal kick and then after half-time we come out and give ourselves a tough task.

"From there, we weren't able to wrestle back any control and it is difficult emotionally - you end up out of shape and it looks open and easy for Chelsea."

On their start to the season: "It has been a tough start for us to play Arsenal and Chelsea. We have got a lot of things to sort out. Then, when we come up against teams that are more closely matched to ourselves, we will cause them a lot of problems."

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Excluding the relegated teams, no side has suffered more Premier League defeats since the start of last season than Wolves (20). The club has now won just one of their 19 league games in the month of August since promotion back to the top-flight in 2019 (D8 L10).

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Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport Football News Reporter

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The word from Compton is that Wolves remain hopeful of adding to their squad before Friday's transfer deadline.

Boss Gary O'Neil knows what they need and what he wants, but Chelsea's visit on Sunday gives others the chance to see what is missing at Molineux.

Their chase of Dara O'Shea is ending in failure, with the defender poised to join Ipswich, and Wolves have already moved on. They could now prioritise a winger, filling the gap left by £54m Pedro Neto's move to Chelsea, and there is interest in 19-year-old Burnley winger Luca Koleosho.

Brentford rejected Wolves' interest in Yoane Wissa, and Italy Under-21 international Koleosho fits the young and cost-effective player with resale value that the club are keen on.

As fate would have it, the Clarets come to Molineux in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

But, for now, the focus is on Chelsea and Neto's return, after his switch to Stamford Bridge earlier this month.

Wolves did the double over the Blues last season, capped by Matheus Cunha's hat-trick in west London and, with Chelsea 'in transition' - as Gary O'Neil called them - Wolves will fancy their chances of maintaining their form against the Blues.

Since Wolves' return to the Premier League in 2018, Chelsea have won just three of their 12 meetings with Wolves.

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week two, he takes on Make Me A Mixtape hosts Clara Amfo and Jordan Stephens.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

It will be interesting to see the Chelsea team, Enzo Maresca has a big squad to pick from. But there will be no Raheem Sterling - he's taken the number seven off him.

Chelsea also played in the Conference League on Thursday night and I thought they were well beaten by Manchester City, but it has to click at some stage for them.

Wolves had their moments against Arsenal and this one has draw all over it.

Amfo's prediction: 0-2

Stephens' prediction: 2-2

Chelsea will probably smash them but I have gone for Wolves to get a draw.

Read the full predictions and have your say

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Wolves boss Gary O'Neil believes Pedro Neto could have landed a bigger move this summer without his previous injury issues.

The winger joined Chelsea for £54m earlier this month and will make a rapid return to Molineux with the Blues in the Premier League on Sunday.

Neto suffered two separate hamstring injuries which saw him miss almost four months of last season - problems which O'Neil feels possibly denied him a move to a Champions League club.

"The important thing for him now is being able to play week in, week out," he said.

"I always felt he was unfortunate with injuries, he never struck me as injury prone. That will be a question mark around him at the moment.

"It's not one I'd be concerned about, which is why I was desperate to keep him and play him every week, but you can understand that may have had an impact in the summer.

"But he can definitely play at any club in world football. His talent, work ethic and physical attributes allow him to play at whatever level he wants."

Neto, who has taken Raheem Sterling's number seven shirt at Chelsea, made his first start in the 2-0 Conference League win over Servette on Thursday.

The 24-year-old made a second-half substitute appearance in the 2-0 defeat by Manchester City on Sunday.

His move to Chelsea came after five years at Molineux, having joined from Lazio, and he made 135 appearances for Wolves, scoring 14 goals.

O'Neil added: "He is one of the best out-and-out wide players in world football. What he can do one-v-one, his explosive pace, what he can do when he arrives there, it allows him to do things not many players can do. It was an emotional goodbye.

"He loved it here - his time before I was here and how well it went for him last season on the pitch."

This season, English top-flight clubs are trialling a new financial system that limits spending based on the earnings of the bottom side, designed to "protect the competitive balance of the Premier League".

Football finance expert Rob Wilson tells The Football News Show why, if permanently introduced, it could make the top Premier League sides less competitive against their European counterparts.

Watch The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Gary O'Neil refused to give much away as Wolves plot their way through the last days of the transfer window.

There may be frustration spending will be limited before the deadline but he was not showing it at their Compton training ground, speaking ahead of Sunday's visit of Chelsea.

Former boss Julen Lopetegui ultimately left Wolves last summer - paving the way for O'Neil's arrival - because of disagreements over the amount of backing he was going to be given.

O'Neil has fostered a togetherness at Wolves since joining on the eve of last season and harming that unity by publicly criticising the club would be at odds with his temperament and what he has built at Molineux.

The head coach said last week the rewards are greater when you have to work harder to achieve them and Wolves are likely to need to work smartly next week.

He declined to comment on the interest in Dara O'Shea and Aaron Ramsdale but remained hopeful there would be arrivals before the 30 August deadline, while it is understood Wolves would like a winger as a replacement for the departed Pedro Neto.

Though it is no secret Wolves like those two players - and former West Bromwich Albion centre-back O'Shea is keen on a Molineux move - it will come down to their price tags.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves boss Gary O'Neil remains hopeful of bringing in new recruits before the transfer deadline.

Burnley defender Dara O'Shea and Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale remain targets but any deals are likely to drag into next week.

Wolves are yet to meet Burnley's £15m asking price for O'Shea, while Arsenal prefer a straight sale, rather than the initial loan that was tabled.

The club would also like to bring in a winger to replace Pedro Neto, after his £54m move to Chelsea, before the 31 August deadline.

"We're trying to do stuff. It's been busy since the window opened for the recruitment team," said O'Neil before Sunday's visit of Chelsea.

"I would expect the next week to be busy in the world of football, there seems to be a lot of clubs trying to do stuff.

"Individual names and rumours, I'm not interested in. We are working hard to do some stuff which we think will help us.

"The important thing is the valuation of the player correct for us? It'll be key for us in terms of what we can and can't do in the next seven days.

"We can do stuff, definitely, it just needs to fit properly for the team and club. I've not heard any [budget] figure in any of my meetings and discussions."

Holly Bacon
BBC Sport journalist

Wolves boss Gary O'Neil has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Chelsea (kick-off 14:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• O'Neil stressed that the transfer window is more about finding players that fit "football-wise and financially" than anything else. He said: "I've obviously seen some of the noise. I do try to stay away from the noise when I can. There's not really a financial limit, it is more 'are players valuations right?' We can do stuff definitely between now and the end of the window, it just needs to fit for the team and the football club."

• He added: "Some of the figures and things you'll hear banded around, I have not heard any figure in any of my meetings or discussions. It's more 'can we find things that fit football-wise and financially' than a set budget."

• On team news: "No [new issues], we're fine. Matheus Cunha is fine so he'll be able for more minutes. Boubacar Traore has done an extra week's training so he's in a better spot. Everybody else is ok I think, so we are as we were."

• He was asked if the job feels different now, compared to when he was appointed 12 months ago: "I still feel like we're running. We're running as hard as we can to push forward. I'm exactly as driven as I was the day I walked in and the group is the same, there's a real hunger within the group."

• On how difficult it could be, as a coach, to deal with 40-plus players like Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, O'Neil said: "I'm not sure how many he's dealing with day to day but you can see Chelsea Football Club are still in a transition and they are still trying to sort a few bits out. That doesn't mean they can't be successful whilst they are in that transition. The amount of talent they have, they have a top coach as well so they still have every right and chance of finishing very high up the league. Of course there are things that go on behind that can have an impact."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Maheta Molango, chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association tells The Football News Show why he is concerned at the current and potential future financial rules in the Premier League.

Watch The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

While Wolves are not expected to throw money around in the final week of the transfer window, they remain hopeful of adding to their squad.

It is likely to dominate Gary O'Neil's press conference ahead of Sunday's visit of Chelsea - and a quick return for Pedro Neto following his £54m move to Stamford Bridge this month.

Wolves have signed Rodrigo Gomes and Pedro Lima for more than £20m, while also making Tommy Doyle's loan from Manchester City permanent. There is also the expected £23m outlay on striker Jorgen Strand Larsen once he makes his initial loan from Celta Vigo permanent.

So there has been money spent and they are willing to spend more, just not at the level some would have hoped for having brought in almost £100m, when Max Kilman's £40m move to West Ham is factored in.

The pursuits of Burnley defender Dara O'Shea and Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale are likely to go into the final week of the window.

O'Shea wants to move to Molineux, allowing him to return to the West Midlands having spent seven years at rivals West Bromwich Albion.

The Clarets are not budging on their £15m valuation of the centre-back, with Wolves so far offering £13m, while the Gunners want to sell Ramsdale, rather than the initial loan Wolves have offered.

Nick Mashiter and Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporters

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Burnley are holding firm on their £15m valuation of defender Dara O'Shea - with the defender favouring a move to Wolves.

The 25-year-old is eager to make the switch to Molineux - returning to the West Midlands having previously played for bitter rivals West Bromwich Albion - but Wolves are yet to meet the Clarets' asking price.

They have offered around £13m for the centre-back but, with Brentford having previously bid £15m, that remains the asking price.

The Bees have signed Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg in a deal believed to be in the region of £25m, leaving their position on O'Shea unclear.

Any deal for O'Shea is not imminent and is likely to go into the last week of the transfer window.

O'Shea has made 39 appearances and scored five goals for Burnley since moving from Albion last summer. He scored in the Clarets' 4-1 Championship opening day win at Luton and also played in their 5-0 victory over Cardiff.

Wolves are in the market for a new centre-back having sold Max Kilman to West Ham for £40m but boss Gary O'Neil's spending power is restricted.

He is not expected to be able to make many signings before the closure of the window next Friday, despite also selling Pedro Neto to Chelsea in a deal worth £54m.

Wolves have made a loan offer, with an obligation to buy, for Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale but the Gunners would prefer a straight sale. Any deal is also likely to go into the final week of the window.

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Wolves defender Ki-Jana Hoever has signed a contract extension with the Premier League club and will spend the 2024-25 season on loan at French top-flight side Auxerre.

The 22-year-old joined Wolves from Liverpool in 2020 and has spent the past 18 months on loan at Stoke City, for whom he made 44 appearances last season.

Matt Jackson, Wolves' head of professional football development, told the club website:, external "Ki has developed on his previous loans and he's maturing all the time. He's been very good during pre-season with Gary [O'Neil] and his staff, but we just feel a different challenge in France will be best for his own personal development.

"He showed with Stoke that he has the ability to really affect the Championship, but what he's got to do now is progress even further and take his game to the next level in one of the top five leagues in Europe."

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves have lost six out of their nine Premier League home games so far in 2024 (won three), with no side losing more.

They only lost four out of their 20 league games at Molineux in the whole of 2023.

Wolves and Brentford are keen on Burnley defender Dara O'Shea, 25, but they must pay £15m to sign the Republic of Ireland international. (Mirror), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves want to beat Brentford to Burnley defender Dara O'Shea.

A centre-back is a priority for the club having sold captain to Max Kilman to West Ham for £40m.

But Gary O'Neil's spending power is restricted despite also selling Pedro Neto to Chelsea in a deal worth £54m.

O'Shea came through the ranks at Wolves' bitter rivals West Bromwich Albion and made 107 appearances for the Baggies.

The 25-year-old joined Burnley last summer but was unable to help keep them in the Premier League. O'Shea has played in the Clarets' opening two Championship games, scoring in the 4-1 win at Luton.

We asked for your thoughts on the news Wolves have made a bid to sign Arsenal and England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on loan with an option to buy.

Here are some of your responses:

Murray: Ramsdale is an upgrade on Sa, whose distribution (essential if a team wants to play out from the back) is woeful. He is also indecisive coming for crosses, evident for Arsenal's first goal on Saturday. If Sa goes to Saudi then Wolves still have a problem, as neither of the back-up keepers are good enough for the Premier League.

Mark: Not sure if Ramsdale would want to join Wolves unless guaranteed first choice. Think he needs to move on from Arsenal, so would be a good signing. Other positions are arguably more of a priority; centre-back, wide player and another full-back. But, with limited funds seemingly available, tough decisions need to be made.

Trevor: Wouldn't be my top priority. Definitely a centre-half and probably another striker option would seem more urgent after the Arsenal performance.

Brian: Don't see a goalkeeper as an urgent need. A centre-back or a goalscorer seems the priority to me as replacements for Kilman and Neto. Ramsdale won't greatly benefit us this term.

Joe: I don't understand this move at all. He's an Albion fan and he sits on the bench every week. He's also going to be expensive wage-wise and I'd rather us fill some other positions. Unless there is a big bid coming in for Jose Sa, Ramsdale is only going to sit on the bench at Wolves too.

Mike: Sa is a shot-stopper only with no other qualities that are needed in modern football. He lacks distribution and footwork qualities and is not strong enough to attack forwards in set-piece situations. Ramsdale would be an excellent replacement, especially if a loan agreement could be made.

Dazzling Dave
Fan writer

When chances are missed, teams like Arsenal will not hesitate to make you pay, and that is exactly what happened. Simply glancing at the score or watching the highlights does not truly capture the match from Wolves' perspective.

Wolves are undergoing changes, trying out a new formation, introducing a fresh centre-back partnership, and giving three players their Premier League debuts. Yet, there were encouraging signs.

Rather than a complete overhaul, these changes represent a progression. Wolves have switched to a back four, with Toti and Yerson Mosquera selected as Gary O’Neil's main men at the back.

Despite Toti's year of Premier League experience, he appeared more uneasy and unsettled. Conversely, newcomer Mosquera showed composure, assertiveness and aggression, qualities that have been lacking in Wolves' defence for some time. Mosquera's approach is anything but timid and he is destined to be a fan favourite.

Switching to a back four is not our only change. We are playing out from the back more often, are more aggressive in and out of possession and are pressing higher.

While previous managers struggled with this formation, I am confident Gary will succeed - but I expect his new tactics will take time to refine.

There were two more debutants in Jorgen Strand Larsen and Rodrigo Gomes, and both look like canny purchases.

Although Rodrigo is not an oven-ready replacement for Pedro Neto, he was willing to take on defenders and I'm looking forward to seeing him grow.

New striker Strand Larsen was only denied a debut goal by the brilliance of Arsenal keeper David Raya, who pulled off a remarkable save. Rodrigo, Jorgen and Yerson are all promising additions to the squad.

Finally, the Emirates crowd was pretty quiet for about 20 minutes in the second half and that is quite an achievement, so I will count that as a success.

Find more from Dazzling Dave at Always Wolves, external

We want your views on the news Wolverhampton Wanderers have made a bid to sign Arsenal and England keeper Aaron Ramsdale on loan with an option to buy.

Jose Sa has been first choice at Molineux since joining the club in 2021 from Olympiakos.

Would Ramsdale be an upgrade? Is the goalkeeping position a priority for Wolves to strengthen?

Send us your thoughts here, external