Forget It Santo: Why Selling Kortney Hause Could Be A Blunder By Wolves
As per latest reports from the Sun, Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Kortney Hause has attracted strong interest from Premier League clubs Huddersfield Town and Watford FC. The report claims that the two top-flight clubs are weighing up an offer in the range of £2.5million for the 22-year-old centre-back, who has been sparingly used by Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo this term.
It has been a season to remember so far for Wolves, following Santo’s appointment in the summer. The Midlands outfit sit comfortably at the top of the EFL Championship table, having accumulated a total of 58 points from 25 games. They have a 9-point lead over 2nd-placed Derby County who have played a game more. And on current form, it looks like a certainty that Wolves will be heading for the Premier League next season.
While the team has been enjoying great success, it hasn’t been a great campaign for Hause, on a personal level. The 22-year old joined the club back in January 2014 from Wycombe and had made his name as a highly promising young talent at the Molineux.
Last season, he was an important part of the Wolves side, making 30 appearances across all competitions, scoring twice and registering one assist. However, he has found himself out of favour with Nuno Espirito Santo this season and has just one senior appearance so far, which was in the Carabao Cup against Manchester City, when he helped his side secure a clean sheet (Wolves were knocked out on penalties).
A tall and a well-built defender with strong aerial abilities and good defensive nous, the 22-year old may have found game time hard to come by but possesses great talent and the fact that two Premier League clubs are interested in snapping him up highlights that.
Wolves are well stocked in the defensive areas, with the likes of Willy Boly, Conor Coady, Danny Batth, Roderick Miranda all performing well this season. However, the campaign has just reached the halfway mark and with still more than 20 games left to be played in the Championship, there are chances that the squad may get stretched and it wouldn’t hurt to have a strong bench as they chase a promotion back to the English top-flight.
Hause would provide just that for the promotion hopefuls. The 22-year old has a decent amount of experience at the Championship level, having played 66 games in the second division. Add to that, his ability to slot in at left-back if needed, it gives the manager with an extra option as well.
Wolves stand an excellent chance to return to the English top-flight for the first time after their relegation in the 2011/12 season. For it to come to fruition, they will need a strong squad with reliable options waiting in the wings, if a first-team regular succumbs to injuries or suspensions, which is why they should hold on to Hause in January.