The wolves can do well if they can shuffle the transitions.
TABLE TIP:
8. PLASS – WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
In 2014, Wolverhampton were in League One, now one of the most exciting teams in the Premier League. The club, which went bankrupt twice in the eighties, now has major Chinese money interests behind it, and has two seventh places in a row in the Premier League.
The challenge for Wolverhampton lies in the transitions. What must be called a Wolves legend – Matt Doherty – has been sold, and many of the team’s players are – if the rumors are true – perhaps on their way to other clubs.
This you need to know about the club
Wolverhampton was founded in 1877, and was one of the clubs that helped start the series. The club is located in the city of the same name, and their biggest rivals are West Bromwich Albion FC With the promotion to the latter, you will see that settlement this year.
The owners of Wolves are Fosun International, a large Chinese conglomerate with ownership interests in everything from companies such as Lanvin and Tom Ford to Cirque du Soleil.
The Wolves have won the series 3 times, and the FA Cup 4 times (the League Cup 2 times).
The Wolverhampton Wanderers manager has done well in the Premier League
Foto: Clive Brunskill/nmc Pool (Pa Photos)
Manager: Nuno Espírito Santo
In his playing career, Santo had plenty of time to watch football as he often became second goalkeeper for teams such as Porto, Dynamo Moscow and Aves. When he retired in 2010, he became goalkeeping coach, and got his first managerial job in 2012 for Rio Ave. After managerial positions in Valencia and Porto, he became manager of Wolverhampton in 2017.
Santo plays in a 3-4-3 system, which can be likened to a 5-4-1 in defense. Their quick counterattack has been a headache for many teams, and the speed of the team is very high. Santo has also selected players, and developed players, who can take on many roles so that the system can be dynamic against which teams they face.
This is how it went in 2019/20
The big problem for the Wolves before Christmas was deciding matches in their favor. Before Christmas Eve, the Wolves had 6 wins, 9 draws and 3 losses. It got a little better after a while, but with 14 draws, there was no doubt where the big problem lay. At the same time, Wolves, surprisingly for many, managed to do well in Europe while the team followed up their strong seventh place from the year before. The team was knocked out in the quarterfinals by Sevilla, who eventually won.
Raúl Jiménez was the top scorer with 27 goals, 17 of them in the Premier League.
Transitions
Inn: Matija Sarkic (Aston Villa)
Ut: Helder Costa (Leeds), Ryan Giles (Coventry, lån), Elliot Watt (Bradford), Will Norris (Burnley), Morgan Gibbs-White (Swansea, lån), Matt Doherty (Tottenham), Tsun Dai (Shzenzen), Jordan Graham, Connor Johnson, Callum Thompson
There are many rumors about who will take over for Matt Doherty, but at the time of writing this is not clear.
Fantasy-tips
Raul Jimenez. Attacks to 8.5 and with 194 points last. Definitely a good buy. Rúben Gonçalo Silva Nascimento Vinagre in defense to 4.5 is the other good buy you should consider. It seems that he wants to be firm, and at that price of a stingy team it is a good buy.
The great talent
The 20-year-old talent Pedro Neto made his breakthrough for Wolves last season, and the winger is a strong offensive weapon. For a few years a little off the horizon, you may remember Luke Matheson. The 17-year-old already has 6 U-matches for England, and is considered a great talent.
Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin) is perhaps the most famous big fan of Wolves.
Photo: Ed Bagnall / AMA / AMA / Corbis via Getty Images
Celebrity supporter
Robert Plant has been active in the club, and has played in testimonials (as above). A big fan of Wolverhampton.
Expected 11s
There is a lot of excitement about how Wolves will replace Matt Doherty, and it is likely that a new player can come in here.
We have therefore set up the underlying probable line-up where we are most confident in the future on the field.
Assessment
The Wolves have been exciting for several seasons, and are a very good team. There is still excitement about how to replace such a key player as Matt Doherty, and whether manager Santo will sign a new contract. Rumor has it that Wolverhampton will have to sell players to raise money for the club, and that Santo is not entirely comfortable with that.
We still believe that the positive development for Wolves will continue, and that the 2020/21 season will be good as long as Santo continues and that it will be a good replacement for Doherty. Wolves turn all draws to victory so …
Plus
- A team that is very difficult to beat
- Has a solid system that sits like a glove
Minus
- Must replace Doherty, uncertainty about whether the manager will extend
- Small stables that are vulnerable to damage
We think Wolverhampton will end up in 8th place in the 20/21 season
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