Wolverhampton Wanderers

Latest updates

  1. Sutton's predictions: Bournemouth v Wolvespublished at 11:04 23 August

    Chris Sutton smiling on a yellow and black background with 'Sutton's predictions' written below his face

    I really liked Bournemouth having a go at Liverpool. I know they ended up losing, but they always carry that attacking threat. They are so good in transition and they get bodies forward.

    How do you judge Wolves after they got walloped at home against Manchester City? I mean, they did have chances in that match.

    There is also concern as to whether Bournemouth have properly replaced their three best defenders, who they sold this summer.

    It will be quite tight but I'm going to stick my neck out. Bournemouth will sneak it.

    Sutton's prediction: 1-0

    Read the full predictions and have your say here

  2. Bournemouth v Wolves: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 18:01 22 August

    Sophie Brown
    BBC Sport journalist

    Both Bournemouth and Wolves will see this match as the perfect opportunity to bounce back from defeats in tough opening fixtures.

    The away side has won the last five games between these teams, including last season's meeting at Molineux when Justin Kluivert became the first player in 67 years to score a hat-trick of penalties in an English top-flight match as Bournemouth won 4-2.

    The Cherries were on the opposite end of a 4-2 scoreline against champions Liverpool last weekend – the first time they had conceded four goals since the season before last, but they won't be sounding the panic alarms just yet.

    Bournemouth's defence has been raided this summer, with four of their first-choice back five leaving the club, including on-loan goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. In fact, none of the three goalkeepers who appeared for Bournemouth in last season's Premier League are still at the club.

    So it is likely to take time for the new recruits to bed in, and although conceding four goals does not look good on paper, there were encouraging signs, in particular from left-back Adrien Truffert and centre-back Bafode Diakite, who signed just two days before the game.

    The significant changes in Bournemouth's defense from the 2024-25 Premier League season

    Like Bournemouth, Wolves have lost some of their prize assets over the summer, including last season's top scorer Matheus Cunha and first-choice wing backs Rayan Ait-Nouri and Nelson Semedo, with striker Jorgen Strand Larsen also currently being linked with Newcastle.

    Wolves didn't win any of their six pre-season games and lost their opening Premier League match 4-0 at home to Manchester City last Saturday. They will need to stop the rot quickly to avoid the risk of a start like last season when they lost seven of their first eight league fixtures, a dismal run of form that eventually cost head coach Gary O'Neil his job.

    They have at least reacted swiftly in the wake of last week's defeat by signing Jackson Tchatchoua from Parma to replace Semedo – and you don't get much swifter than the Cameroon international defender, who was clocked as the fastest man in Serie A last season.

  3. Pereira on Tchatchoua, Larsen's 'commitment' and 'brave' Bournemouthpublished at 15:33 22 August

    Millie Sian
    BBC Sport journalist

    Wolves boss Vitor Pereira has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium (kick-off 15:00 BST).

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • New signing Jackson Tchatchoua is available after training with the team, but "a decision will be made tomorrow" to see whether he will be involved. When asked about the defender's qualities, Pereira replied: "He is a fast winger that can also play as a wing-back. He has strength and he is powerful. He likes to attack the space and he knows how to create problems in the system we play."

    • Jorgen Strand Larsen is "committed" to the club and "preparing to play" this weekend, despite being linked with a move to Newcastle United. He added: "He is a very important player for us. I haven't spoken with him about it, but he is committed."

    • However, Pereira highlighted that "players can come and players can leave" up until the transfer window shuts.

    • The club is "working to get the last few players" through the door before the transfer window shuts, but he didn't want to speak about the links to Girona's Ladislav Krejci.

    • On losing key players such as Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri this summer, he said: "I believe we will still have a good team left. We've lost some players but we still have players that have always been in the first XI. We know what our vision is for the future, so the players are working very hard and in a way that I like - because of that I'm positive [about this group]."

    • He admitted that it "isn't easy" for managers to manage their squad while the transfer window is still open because "every time we push for players that we need and we can also lose players that we want".

    • Despite the 4-0 defeat, he was happy with the "true spirit, bravery and pressing" he saw against Manchester City: "We did a lot of things well, but when we commit a mistake against top players then of course they will score. I think they had five shots on target and scored four goals, this isn't something that happens a lot. We had our chances to score also."

    • On facing Bournemouth: "They are a brave team, they have an identity, they are strong and they have good players. It's about doing what we can to improve as a team and as individuals. We can correct some of the mistakes from the last game. I believe the best way to work is to work hard to be better and better."

    • He is anticipating a "very tough game" and he doesn't know if they will get a result, but the players will be ready to "go there and compete" for the three points.

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

  4. What do Wolves need in the transfer window? published at 10:45 21 August

    Phil McNulty banner

    Wolves have stepped up the pace in the transfer market, quite literally in the case of new signing from Hellas Verona, Jackson Tchatchoua, who was named the fastest player in Serie A last season with a top speed of 36.3km/h.

    He has fulfilled head coach Vitor Pereira's need for a player who can play right-back or wing-back, but the Portuguese is on the hunt for more.

    Pereira is likely to focus on an attacking midfield player – Getafe's Christantus Uche is a name doing the rounds - and may take the opportunity to sign a striker to provide support and cover for Jorgen Strand Larsen.

    Wolves are sure to be active in the next couple of weeks, with central defence another area Pereira might want to bolster.

    What does Phil think other club's need?

  5. Will Wolves 'miss the train' with signings this time?published at 18:21 20 August

    Mike Taylor
    BBC Radio WM reporter

    Jorgen Strand LarsenImage source, Getty Images

    Wolves' first game of the season does not seem to have shifted the dial much on expectations. It does say something about the stratified nature of the modern Premier League that a club - established in the division for several seasons - can lose 4-0 at home on the opening day and there be no sudden sense of shock afterwards.

    It was fair enough for Vitor Pereira to talk up his team, but - as has been the case for a while - the part of his comments that attracted most attention was about the strength of the squad. "This is the time to make an offer and to help the team. We need help, so I hope the club can help us."

    But reading between the lines of the comments of managers, especially those not speaking in their first language, is a bad habit, best avoided.

    Anyway, Wolves have moved since Saturday, adding Jackson Tchatchoua to address the problem left by Nelson Semedo's departure. The impact of the other recent signings on Saturday was limited - David Moller Wolfe was the only one to start - but we can reasonably expect them to feature more strongly as they settle down.

    But there, specifically, is the issue I've most often heard raised by Wolves supporters recently. The notion that Wolves 'write off August' has caught on, on the basis that since they returned to the Premier League in 2018, they have won only one league game before the start of September. This, it is argued, is a symptom of their tardiness in making signings every summer - a lack of preparedness always putting them under pressure.

    This is not entirely fair. It isn't really credible to think a club will consciously 'write off' any games, even when expectations are so low as they were for Wolves against Manchester City.

    Pereira is not the only Premier League manager recently heard wondering when his club will get on with signing players, and some have done so rather more impatiently. Every coach hopes his full squad will be together for the start of pre-season, but the timing of the transfer window, and the sums of money in play, encourage brinkmanship.

    In Wolves' case, though, it seems several key players leave at the start of each summer, so there is always the feeling of having to do more than others to catch up, and the fear that this time they might not manage to jump on the train that is already leaving the station.

    Listen to full commentary of Bournemouth v Wolves at 15:00 BST on Saturday on BBC Radio WM 95.6FM

    And tune into The West Midlands Football Phone-In from 18:00 on weeknights

    Explore Wolves content on BBC Sounds

  6. Gossip: Strand Larsen still of interest to Newcastlepublished at 07:39 20 August

    Gossip graphic

    Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen remains of interest to Newcastle - although the 25-year-old is not hankering to leave Molineux. (The Athletic - subscription required, external)

    Wolves and West Ham are both interested in Spain midfielder Marc Casado but face a tough ask persuading the 21-year-old to leave Barcelona. (Marca - in Spanish, external)

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

    Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

  7. 'Very happy to have signed' Tchatchoua but 'he alone will not be enough'published at 15:12 19 August

    Your Wolverhampton Wanderers opinions banner
    Jackson TchatchouaImage source, Getty Images

    We asked for your views on Wolves' latest signing Jackson Tchatchoua and where else they need to look to strengthen before the transfer window closes.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Richard: Very happy to have signed another defender. I like the fact he has pace. I still think we need a central defender and another forward. With Nottingham Forest spending over £100m, it shows what you need to do to be ambitious. I hope Fosun are watching.

    Tony: This is going be a transitional start to the season with so many new signings and established players leaving. But I feel we have signed quality players, and given time under the guidance of our excellent manager Vitor Pereira, we will be a good side and play some exciting attacking football.

    Baz: Looks like a good signing as we need more pace which he seems to have. He alone will not be enough, a first class striker is vital. Fabio Silva should go as he is clearly not in Vitor's thinking. He would be sold at a loss but at least it would free up cash for the additional three or more signings that are needed. It's about time Fosun spent more of the incoming revenue for the sold players that scored and assisted so many goals last season.

    James: We certainly need bodies, and we certainly need pace. Is he the answer? The price tag suggests not - £10-15m doesn't buy a player who is going to make the difference, not anymore. I think this under-cooked squad is really going to struggle all season. The owners simply seem to be out to turn a profit on player sales, and don't care about results on the pitch.

  8. A day of tribute and tough lessons for Wolvespublished at 12:36 19 August

    Dazzling Dave
    Fan writer

    Wolverhampton Wanderers fan's voice banner
    Jota tribute by WolvesImage source, Getty Images

    Wolves' 4-0 defeat by Manchester City was a harsh scoreline to swallow, but the real story at Molineux started long before the first whistle. This was a day of emotion and remembrance, as fans paid tribute to Diogo Jota - a player who left an unforgettable mark on Wolves and everyone who loves the club.

    The display from the Old Gold Pack was nothing short of outstanding. Flags flew, voices echoed, and for a moment, football was about more than just the result.

    Diogo's impact on Wolves fans is hard to put into words. He delivered happiness, moments of magic, and memories that will stay with us for a lifetime. Footballers like Diogo remind us that the game isn't just about points or trophies, but about shared joy, heartbreak, and community.

    As for the match itself, most fans probably feared City's quality would be too much for this current Wolves side. Pre-season worries about depth and pace were on full display, but the 4-0 scoreline didn't tell the whole story.

    Wolves had spells of good play, matched City for effort, and there were moments when it looked like we could match their intensity. However, mistakes against a side of City's calibre are quickly punished. That was the difference.

    This Wolves side felt a step slower than we are used to, missing the spark and unpredictability brought by players like Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri. Yet, in flashes, we saw intent and spirit. The hope remains that with key signings before the transfer window closes, Wolves can find their feet and show their true potential.

    Vitor Pereira shaped the defence well last season, with Emmanuel Agbadou a standout at the back. But Agbadou's pre-season form has slipped and defensive errors have been costly. Wolves must tighten up fast if they want to avoid more tough defeats.

    The squad needs more quality, support and investment or Wolves risk a long, difficult season.

    Despite the result, the day was about more than football - it was a celebration of Diogo Jota's life and his lasting influence.

    And for Wolves, there is still time for optimism to return to Molineux.

    Find more from Dazzling Dave at Always Wolves, external

  9. 'We have everything here' - Tchatchoua joins Wolvespublished at 09:51 19 August

    Wolverhampton Wanderers have your say banner
    Jackson Tchatchoua looks on for Hellas VeronaImage source, Getty Images

    Jackson Tchatchoua says he wants to "conquer this dream" after signing for Wolves from Serie A side Hellas Verona.

    The 23-year-old defender has signed a five-year deal, with an option of a further year, for a fee of 12m euros (£10.4m).

    Tchatchoua spent two years in the Italian top flight and was a regular last season for both club and country, playing 43 times across all competitions as Verona retained their place in the league and Cameroon booked their spot in the Africa Cup of Nations.

    A pacy right wing-back, he produced the top speed in Serie A last term at 36.3km/h, and also notched up two goals and three assists.

    "I feel good. I feel happy to be here and I'm excited. I spoke a little bit with the coach, but I'll speak more," Tchatchoua told the club website.

    "The Premier League is one of my dreams and it's one step that I want to do in my life. Also, the history of the club, the stadium and the fans convinced me.

    "I can play wing-back, I can play full-back. When the space is free, I really like it, and I can play both [positions]. I will play the position of the coach puts me on the pitch - for the team and for the coach.

    "My first impressions [of the club] are that we have everything here. It's not too big, it's not too small. It's very good.

    "I spoke with some people from the club and everyone enjoys it. I feel a good atmosphere in this club. I'm very excited to play. It's one of my dreams, and I want to conquer this dream."

    What do you make of this latest signing? Is it what the squad needs? And where else do Wolves need to strengthen this transfer window?

    Get in touch with your views here

  10. Wolves 0-4 Man City - the fans' verdictpublished at 18:24 17 August

    Your opinions graphic
    Media caption,

    We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Wolves and Manchester City.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Wolves fans

    Patrick: Would like to see more energy and combat. City were a class above but need to battle more. A couple of the right signings and we'll be fine.

    John: Four chances, four goals. You cannot make the mistakes Wolves made against a City side who physically and technically are much stronger. I expected the defeat but 4-0 is not a fair reflection, and had we taken chances it would have been closer. Need three more signings as lacking depth. Not sure about Wolfe - looked out of his depth. I thought Jhon Arias was lively in the 20 minutes he played. No need to panic yet.

    Dan: One game gone and I'm worried. Our gameplan is to defend deep and hit on the break. But once Manchester City got their first we fell to pieces. City were not at their best but they easily cut us apart when needed. We also lack quality up front. Marshall Munetsi would run through a brick wall for the team, but he's not a forward. Unless Arias or Lopez turn out to be gems quickly, then we will need proven quality in the door ASAP or we're toast.

    James: We huffed and puffed but came up short - what you would expect from a newly promoted team. This is our eighth season since promotion, however. The squad has been fatally weakened by the owners, and we simply don't have the quality to compete. Fosun should hang its head in shame because already we are in a relegation battle. When you sell your key assets and don't replace them, that is simply inevitable. Endeavour is not enough.

    David: Forget about the match, which was irrelevant. The main thing was for the club and fans to pay their respects and share their love for Diogo Jota and his family. Thanks to everyone who got involved in what was a magnificent tribute to a fantastic player and person. No-one could have done it better. A massive well done to the club, the fans and the city of Wolverhampton for showing Diogo's family what he means to us all. RIP, Diogo - once a Wolf always a Wolf!

    Man City fans

    Roy: Good all-round team performance with bags of effort. Add this to the class of Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki, it could be something special for the future.

    Brian: City were in free-flow on Saturday. A game of open and committed football, with use of the ball key and players driving forward with it. The keep-ball has gone and now City play football. Wonderful to watch. Exciting and energetic. This can only get better and playing out from the back was more comfortable and confident. This team has found their mojo.

    Alan: City looking back to their best! A really great display with all the debutants contributing massively. Some early nerves as the back line adjusted, but once they clicked it was a very efficient machine. A great start!

    Gene: The standout performance of Reijnders, and the surprise starts for Stones and Bobb - at least for me - were worth the watch alone. I saw Reijnders play often over the past few years and knew his quality - a great signing. It will take some time for the team to gel, but a good start. Hopefully the defence can play more effectively this season and avoid too many injuries. Lewis played well - the right-back position needs sorting and I wonder whether he is the answer. A good performance against a mid-table team. We shall see what happens against stiffer competition.

    Chris: A slow and shaky first 30 minutes. Looked a bit ring-rusty for a while. However, they clicked on 34 minutes and never really looked troubled by Wolves. Reijnders looks world class and, considering the players who were out, we look as if we can really challenge for titles again this season.

  11. Wolves 0-4 Man City: What Pereira saidpublished at 20:28 16 August

    Vitor Pereira for WolvesImage source, Getty Images

    Wolves lost 4-0 at home to Manchester City in their opening Premier League fixture on Saturday and boss Vitor Pereira will take the positives whilst correcting the 'things that need to be corrected'.

    "We faced a strong team. Technically strong, individual quality they have better options," Pereira told BBC Match of the Day.

    "We did things well in my opinion, we were brave, we didn't go in just to defend - I don't believe in that kind of game - we had some chances. If you didn't watch the game and just see the result it's like they created a lot of chances and we created nothing and it's not true.

    "Every time we made a mistake they scored. We created maybe four chances to score and nothing. Of course they have a lot of merit and quality but in my opinion the result doesn't express what happened on the field.

    "We scored first, an offside, I don't know if he's in a clear offside position I didn't see. But if you score first it's different. We conceded the first goal we were missing some aggressiveness in the middle and they have the quality to create this kind of chance. The second goal we offered it to them - building the play in the middle was not the plan but I understand everyone can make mistakes - even me - the way is to correct.

    "In the second half we had a big chance for 2-1 and after a counter attack they get the third goal. This is the kind of team that each mistake they punish us with the quality. We did some good things. The spirit that I want is this spirit - we tried to be on the pitch with ambition and trying to score a goal.

    "We created some good chances, some good movements, defending sometimes at a good level but sometimes when you press between they lines they score. I will take the good things with me and we'll correct the things that need to be corrected."

    When asked if they need more signings, he added: "Yes - the club knows that we need maybe three signings with quality to add something more. This league is a very difficult league and we need more solutions. This is the time to make an offer and to help the team. We need help so I hope the club can help us."

  12. Wolves 0-4 Man City: Did you know?published at 19:54 16 August

    Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Jorgen Strand Larsen of Wolverhampton Wanderers applaud the fans at the end of the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester City at MolineuxImage source, Getty Images
    • Wolves have lost 58% of their opening day matches in the Premier League (seven out of 12 - W3 D2) which is the highest percentage among sides to play in more than 10 seasons in the competition. They're also the first team since West Ham in 2020-21 to lose five consecutive opening day games.

  13. Wolves v Man City: Team newspublished at 16:30 16 August

    Wolves line-up vs Manchester City graphic

    Wolves boss Vitor Pereira hands a debut to Norwegian wing-back David Moller Wolfe, who joined the club from AZ Alkmaar this summer.

    Fellow summer signings Jhon Arias and Fer Lopez are both on the bench.

    Wolves XI: Sa, Hoever, Toti, Agbadou, Doherty, Wolfe, Andre, Gomes, Bellegarde, Munetsi, Strand Larson

    Subs: J.Arias, Hugo Bueno, S. Bueno, Hwang Hee-Chan, S. Johnstone, S. Kalajdžić, Fer López, Rodrigo Gomes, Y. Mosquera

    The big team for Manchester City sees number one goalkeeper Ederson being left amid strong interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray.

    It means a debut for James Trafford in goal, with Tijjani Reijnders also playing for the first time in the Premier League having made his City debut during the Club World Cup.

    Full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri starts against his old club, having made 135 Premier League appearances for Wolves.

    Man City XI: Trafford, Lewis, Dias, Stones, Ait-Nouri, Reijnders, Gonzalez, Silva, Bobb, Doku, Haaland.

    Subs: Akanji, Ake, Cherki, Gundogan, Khusanov, Marmoush, Nunes, O'Reilly, Ortega

    Manchester City line-up vs Wolves graphic