GEORGE LAKIN takes a look at Wolves in France: Building a Stronghold Through Smart Recruitment
Wolves’ work in the French market has been solid in recent years but has largely been overshadowed by the club’s high-profile South American scouting successes. While Wolves’ recruitment in South America has made headlines, their French acquisitions have been quietly laying a strong foundation.
With the resounding success of João Gomes and the arrival of André Pedro Lima from Brazil this summer, Wolves’ South American scouting network has been generating plenty of noise. Yerson Mosquera, signed from Atlético Nacional for £4.5 million, has rejoined the ranks, while Enso González, an unproven talent brought in from Paraguay’s Libertad for £5 million, has had his development hindered by injuries. Despite this focus on South America, Wolves have also been working closer to home with great effect.
Rayan Ait-Nouri
Wolves have forged strong networks in France, a market they have increasingly tapped into, and the benefits are starting to show this season. One of the first through the doors and still a standout signing is Rayan Aït-Nouri. Brought in from Angers for £10 million in a complicated deal involving an initial loan and subsequent part-ownership. Wolves retain the option to buy out the remaining portion of the player for ~£15 million, ensuring their long-term investment.
What has happened since then needs little introduction. Still only 23, Rayan is one of Wolves’ most influential players, but his talent and threat are often nullified unless the system is set up to maximise his impact. Gary O’Neil is still working on this puzzle, but it’s clear that Aït-Nouri is a world-class wingback, not a fullback, despite the apparent similarities in the roles.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde
The emergence of Jean-Ricner Bellegarde as someone Gary O’Neil looks likely to utilise more this season adds further credence to Wolves’ French recruitment success. Signed from Strasbourg for £12 million on a five-year contract, I initially expected Bellegarde to play more of a bit-part role this term, just as he did last year before an injury ruled him out from March onwards.
Bellegarde still has a lot to prove, but his goal against Nottingham Forest a couple of weeks ago shows that he’s a player who needs no invitation to shoot. In the past, Wolves have been guilty of being somewhat shot-shy, so if Bellegarde can maintain this killer instinct, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him hold down a place in the team throughout the season. For me, however, I don’t think he’s a natural fit in any of the systems O’Neil wants to play.
For example, in a 5-2-3 formation, he certainly doesn’t have the defensive capabilities to be one of the two central midfielders. At the same time, I don’t think he offers anywhere near as much as other options we have within the squad on the flanks as part of the front three. The central role he was almost forced to play last year, due to our mounting injury list, totally alienated him. Similarly, a return to the 5-3-2 system, often deployed during Nuno Espírito Santo’s tenure, would almost certainly see Cunha and Larsen occupy the two attacking spots, resembling the deadly partnership of Jiménez and Jota. This system relies on the wingbacks to provide the width.
There’s slightly more of a case for Bellegarde’s inclusion here, as it might be overkill defensively to play with three centre-backs and three more defensively-minded midfielders in front of them. With this in mind, Bellegarde’s inclusion could work well in linking up the midfield and attack. However, I think it’s unlikely, if not impossible, that O’Neil will deploy this system this term.
Alternatively, in a 4-4-2 formation—similar to what we saw at times against Nottingham Forest—Bellegarde is too centrally-minded to play as an out-and-out winger. In a classic 4-4-2, it’s imperative that wingers maintain width. This formation is restrictive and quite rigid, which is why I was surprised to see O’Neil use it against Forest, given his preference for more fluid systems. However, this may indicate his desire to tighten things up, possibly only for a game or two, following the 6-2 thrashing at the hands of Chelsea, where at times Wolves looked far too open. No matter what O’Neil’s footballing philosophies are, he knew Wolves couldn’t continue to play as openly as they did in that match. Craig Dawson immediately returning to the team supports this.
In the much-anticipated 4-3-3, which is expected to allow Wolves to get Lemina, João Gomes, and André and Pedro Lima into the side while also solving the four vs. five at the back dilemma, Bellegarde again faces challenges. In theory, this system should allow André to drop deep and play alongside the two centre-backs, recreating the three-at-the-back setup Wolves have become accustomed to. In turn, this allows the ‘full-backs’—likely Aït-Nouri and Semedo—to return to a more familiar wingback role, giving them the licence to get forward without leaving the defence overly exposed. You would assume that Larsen and Cunha are nailed-on to occupy two of the three forward positions.
However, I’m doubtful that Bellegarde, competing with the likes of Rodrigo Gomes, Hwang, Guedes, Sarabia, and Forbs, is the best option to take the final attacking spot. He excels for me in a number 10 role, but in any system that accommodates this position, there are better options—Cunha primarily, but I’d argue even Sarabia offers more technically, if not athletically. For me, Sarabia’s technical ability is worth the trade-off in terms of what the team loses in athleticism, intensity, and pace.
Though it remains inconclusive exactly where and in which system Bellegarde constitutes our best option, he represents superb squad depth at the very least. He is another example of the excellent yet understated business Wolves have conducted in the French market in recent years.
Boubacar Traoré
Traoré joined Wolves initially on loan from Metz in 2022, which was later made permanent for £9.5 million. Traoré has always been on the edge of breaking into Wolves’ first team and making a significant impact. Central midfield is a position where Wolves have been blessed with depth in recent seasons, which may explain Traoré’s struggle to establish himself. However, when called upon, he rarely disappoints.
Energetic and rangy, Traoré offers something different in midfield, and though there were rumours of his departure, an injury during the League Cup tie against Burnley kept him at Wolves.
When fit, Traoré is a very useful squad player. His increasing composure is beginning to fill the gaps in his game since arriving- when he looked raw. He is more than capable of covering ground when others are tiring late on in matches.
At 22 years old, there is still a huge amount of potential there, and Bouba could yet become a top top player; Wolves will be hoping his current injury is not too serious. This, unfortunately, is nothing new- frequent injuries have somewhat plagued his career so far; this may be a make-or-break season for Traoré’s career.
Hopefully we do eventually get to see his full potential unlocked in a Wolves shirt. Fitness and opportunities -that may or may not arise- in the team do however leave huge question marks.
MARIO LEMINA
Wolves had long been interested in acquiring the Gabonese- initially when he was at Southampton from 2017-2021. The club finally got their man when he arrived from Nice in the unforgettable transfer window of January 2023- for a reported £9m (in hindsight, an absolute bargain!)
Now Wolves’ mercurial captain, midfield monster and heartbeat of the current side. Whatever system Gary O’Neil eventually settles on this season, it is almost certain that Lemina will remain at the epicentre. With his style, swagger and undeniable charisma Lemina encapsulates the current mood and epitomises the direction the club is headed.
His performances last season while mourning the death of his father were a testament to his character and evidenced that he has finally found his footballing home at Wolves.
In danger of becoming something of journeyman, here and now, he has found a connection and understanding with a club (and fan base) that had previously been missing throughout his career. He has recently spoken about how he has felt misunderstood throughout his career, almost unable to fit in anywhere; characterised as a ‘difficult’ player to manage.
From what we’ve seen at Wolves, this couldn’t be further from the truth. He is a leader on and off the pitch, and a superb ambassador for our great club.
Arguably the best of Wolves’ business in the French market to date. His captaincy is a deserved honour, and one that I am sure he will handle with great dignity and appreciation. Hail, Super Mario.
Bastien Meupiyou
Meupiyou is undoubtedly one for the future, though how far into the future remains to be seen. At just 18, and with only one first-team appearance for Nantes—during which he was sent off—Meupiyou has already been drafted into Wolves’ senior squad rather than the U21s. This shows how highly he is regarded within the club.
Given Wolves’ failure to sign an experienced centre-back this summer, Meupiyou may get his chance sooner rather than later. However, Wolves must handle him with care.
It is very possible we see him break into the first team in some capacity this year- especially with Wolves’ failure to bring in a much needed and sought after experienced head at centre back this summer. So when opportunity knocks perhaps Bastien answers.
Much promise, but Wolves need to be careful not to throw him in at the deep end given his tender years, even if injuries hit in defensive positions. We saw the damage this can have on the development of young players in the shape of Fabio Silva- a player called upon to play more football than was probably expected during his first year at Wolves- again due to lack of more experienced reinforcements in his particular department and misfortune with injuries.
Wolves must learn from this and nurture and protect their young players if they are to reap the full extent of the potentially huge rewards.
Honourable Mentions: Sven Botman and Renato Sanches: The Nearly Men
Wolves came close to signing Sven Botman and Renato Sanches from Lille in the summer of 2021. Sanches is a dynamic and high-impact midfielder but it’s fair to say Botman was ultimately the bigger miss of the two. Still only 24 and seemingly going from strength to strength despite persistent injury issues) was available for £20 million, and Wolves were in for him early- a year before he eventually signed for Newcastle for £35 million.
It’s painful to think what could have been, as Botman has since established himself as a standout Premier League centre-back. Furthermore, he would appear to be a perfect fit in the system Wolves are currently attempting to transition to; a position in which the club found it somewhat difficult to recruit over the summer.
Wolves may regret not pushing harder for these players, but this near-miss could encourage them to act with more conviction in future deals.
The Meupiyou signing this summer shows that Wolves have confidence in their French scouting network, which has proven to be a worthy counterpart to their renowned South American scouting system.
Perhaps Wolves don’t need to venture across the Atlantic to find talent—there are plenty of unearthed gems to be found just across the Channel.
ARTICLE BY GEORGE LAKIN
George fell in love with Wolves the moment Colin Cameron fizzed one into the bottom corner against Plymouth Argyle on the 31st December 2005- during his first ever Wolves game as a child.
He loves digging a little deeper when it comes to Wolves, often conducting his own research to help him read between the lines and increase his knowledge and understanding of all aspects of our great club. He is keen to share his insight and findings with fans who share in his biggest love, -after his lovely wife, Amy and little boy, Tommy of course!- our mighty Wolverhampton Wanderers!
George is passionate about reaching and uniting all corners of the Wolves family, young and old, near and far. So make sure you don’t miss his weekly column exclusively for Always Wolves this season!
1 Comment
by John Taras
Excellent read George. Big change to the types of players we used to attract in the 70s when I started watching in the South Bank!