An inconsistent outing last season saw Wolves finish in the bottom half of the Premier League. Under the stewardship of Nuno Espírito Santo, Wolverhampton Wanderers succeeded in remaining in the Premier League since their promotion in 2018 – securing two consecutive top-half finishes.
However, with Espírito Santo’s departure from the club, the new head coach, Bruno Lage, will be looking to improve the team’s performances from last season whilst and keeping hold of the club’s best players. With senior players returning from season-long injuries, Wolverhampton Wanderers will be looking to mount a strong comeback after last season’s disappointment.
In this series, we scrutinise every team in the division, picking out economical performers, helping you in your quest to become the ultimate FPL manager.
Seasoned Player
Raul Jimenez (£7.5m, FWD)
An unfortunate head injury in November ruled out the Mexican striker for the latter part of last season. However, despite his misfortune, the 30-year-old striker remains a deadly threat in front of the goal.
Although having finished last season with 43 points, Jiménez is amongst the Wolves’ most consistent players on the pitch. The striker finished with 181 and 194 points in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 season respectively and is an established first-team striker at the club.
In his relatively short league campaign last season, the striker managed to score four goals and provide an assist. With Jiménez declared fit ahead of next season, the striker will be keen on contributing goals and remaining a vital part of the new manager’s plans going into the season.
Budget Players
Conor Coady (£4.5m, DEF)
A mainstay in an often rotated Wolverhampton backline, the club captain played the second-most minutes (3,303) amongst his teammates in the league last season. In a season that saw the England international finish with 106 points, Coady managed to keep ten clean sheets and score a goal.
Amongst the first names on the team sheet, the 28-year-old centre-back has been a vital part of the team’s defensive stability in the Premier League. Coady completed the highest number of long passes (810) and blocked the most shots (39) at the club throughout last season.
Available at a bargain, the Wolves captain is an excellent option in the backline provided they improve on their results from last season and can put in consistent defensive performances going into the season.
Nélson Semedo (£5.0m, DEF)
Having arrived at the club from Barcelona, the Portuguese right-back had a decent outing in his first season at Wolves. Semedo managed 109 points last season, scoring one goal and providing three assists; having kept nine clean sheets.
The 27-year-old right-back also recorded the highest percentage of shots on target (47.8%) and completed the third-highest number of passes (24) amongst his teammates in the league last season. In addition, Semedo recorded the third-highest number of carries (83) into the final third of the pitch at the club last season.
At £5.0m, Semedo may prove to be a decent option given the formation adopted by the club’s new manager. Ideally, a right-wing-back, Semedo will be more threatening provided he gets the license to join the attack. Nevertheless, the Portuguese international is a decent option if Wolverhampton Wanderers find themselves defensively resolute next season.
Dark Horses
Rúben Neves (£5.5m, MID)
Amongst the first names on the team sheet, the Portuguese international has been a crucial part of Wolves’ set-up. Neves scored 104 points last season, netting eight goals and providing one assist. In addition, the 24-year-old midfielder also made the fourth-highest league appearances (36) at the club last season.
In the absence of creative midfielders in the second phase of the season due to injuries, Neves emerged as a viable output for creativity within the squad. The midfielder ranked fourth for non-penalty expected goals+assists (5.0npxG+xA) and recorded the most shots (64) in the league amongst his teammates last season. Additionally, the midfielder also completed the most passes into the final third of the pitch (203) and ranked fourth for carries into the final third (43) at the club throughout last season.
Available at £5.5m, Neves is a decent option in the Wolverhampton midfield, given he is the team’s primary set-piece and penalty taker. With the likes of Daniel Podence (£5.5m) and Pedro Neto (£6.5m) unlikely to be available for the initial phase, Neves may still be relied on as a creative output going into next season.
Adama Traoré (£6.5m, MID)
Arguably the club’s most talented attacking prospect, the Spaniard was mainly utilised as a squad player last season. Although having made 37 appearances, the winger started only 28 games in the league last season. Traoré managed 94 points, scoring two goals and recording four assists last season.
In addition, the 25-year-old winger recorded the most Shot-Creating Actions (113) and completed the second-highest number of passes (26) into the 18-yard box at the club last season. Traoré also ranked first for carries into the 18-yard box (60) amongst his teammates last season.
A constant threat on the flanks, Traoré has the potential to produce moments of brilliance despite having a poor performance throughout a game. At £6.5m, the Spaniard is a reliable option provided he cements his place in the starting line-up and can find consistency next season.
Wolves face Leicester City (A), Tottenham (H), Manchester United (H), Watford (A), and Brentford (H) in their first five games of the 2021/22 Premier League season.
