LIAM BERRY LOOKS AT THE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM CHELSEA V WOLVES
Wolves have fallen to another 3-0 loss in the league, a third defeat in a row without scoring, this one against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Wolves went into the game with no established manager following the sacking of Bruno Lage the previous weekend.
Let’s take a look at five key talking points that we have learned from this uninspiring afternoon.
1. Guedes below par
Having only played the first 45 minutes, Goncalo Guedes did not impress.
Only getting 12 touches, three out of his four passes were successful.
However, speculation has emerged regarding his fitness, and that he, alongside with Adama Traore and Diego Costa, were scheduled to come off at halftime, as they weren’t fit enough to play the full 90. That seems strange if true.
With the ever-growing injury list, Wolves would not want to risk adding to this, so this could explain the performance from Guedes. Hopefully a new manager will get the costly signing going and showing the sort of form which excited fans when he arrived.
2. Promising Hodge
Having been subbed on for Guedes at half-time, Joe Hodge looked promising in his 45-minute shift.
The young central midfielder, who impressed on under 21 duty with the Republic of Ireland recently, he accumulated a 78% pass completion rate and looked comfortable on the ball.
For his first appearance in the old gold, also given the injuries he has recovered from at such a young age, Wolves will be hoping he can kick on and excel in the West Midlands. Fair play also to caretaker bosses Steve Davis and James Collins for throwing him in and giving Hodge the opportunity. He certainly didn’t let them down.
With the ever-growing injury list, Wolves would not want to risk adding to this, so this could explain the performance from Guedes. Hopefully a new manager will get the costly signing going and showing the sort of form which excited fans when he arrived.
3. No easy job for new manager
With the team without a manager, a lot of speculation has come about who will be appointed in this position.
Names like Pedro Martins and Ruben Amorim have been mentioned, but Julen Lopetegui seeming to be the most likely candidate, six years on from when Fosun first wanted him to take the helm after they took over at Molineux. It appears that Jeff Shi has opened talks with Lopetegui is back in Spain and the question would seem to be whether he wants a break after his exit from Sevilla or whether he will be ready to step straight in.
Whoever gets the job will have a difficult job on their hands with Wolves having scored just three goals in nine Premier League games so far this season and sitting third from bottom in the league.
With the talent the squad has, it still feels that Wolves could be just one appointment away from greatness, but with the problems going forward still posing a worry, the new man will also face a tough task.
4. Same old problems in attack
Following on from this, one of, if not the biggest problems Wolves have, is the team going forward.
Despite the addition of two centre forwards, Wolves have scored the lowest number of goals so far in the league.
With Diego Costa being brought into action against his former club Chelsea, there is hope he can turn Wolves’ fortunes around. But to do that he will need far better service than he was given at Stamford Bridge. Only time will tell.
5. Nunes class
A player that stood out for me at Chelsea was Matheus Nunes.
Completing three out of four dribbles whilst accumulating an 81% pass percentage in a midfield pivot next to Joao Moutinho, Matheus was a joy to watch.
For however long he stays at Wolves, we should enjoy watching him as he has the talent to go really far in football, a firing Nunes could certainly help the team pick up form after a lacklustre start to the season.
Another positive is that Ruben Neves will return for Saturday’s crunch game against fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest. It feels like it could be a very nervous afternoon!
ARTICLE BY LIAM BERRY
I am a life long Wolves fan that is passionate for the club. I am a sixth form student who loves writing about things I love!