Wolves have managed to seal a spot in the Europa League group stage after beating Torino in the play-offs.
They were in the hat for the main draw of a European competition for the first time since 1980. And on Friday, the Wanderers learnt their Europa League fate and will face Besiktas, Braga and Slovan Bratislava in Group K.
It’s an incredible achievement for Nuno Espirito Santo and his team, who were until last year playing in the Championship. They have had an early start to the campaign due to the qualifiers and as they are now in the Europa League, Nuno needs to manage his players well to avoid a potential burnout.
Wolves made some eye-catching signings in the summer transfer window, with Patrick Cutrone, Bruno Jordao, Pedro Neto and Jesus Vallejo arriving at the Molineux. Vallejo is on a season-long loan from Real Madrid and his acquisition was a major coup for the Wanderers.
He will have to break a trusted combination of Willy Boly, Conor Coady and Ryan Bennett in defence if he wants chances in the league.
Going by Wolves’ performances in the Premier League this season, however, they haven’t looked at their sublime best, lacking creativity and guile in the final third. They have been really sloppy at the back as well but given their midweek Europa League exertions, their fatigue is somewhat understandable.
Despite the addition of Vallejo, Nuno lacks depth in defence. An injury to any of his first-choice centre-back could lead to problems as Vallejo—even after performing commendably in the Europa League qualifiers—is yet to adapt to the demands of the Premier League.
To put things plainly, the Wanderers need a Premier League proven defender in their ranks and Nuno could do a great job if he manages to sign Burnley star, James Tarkowski, who was heavily linked with a summer switch to Molineux.
James Tarkowski, 26, was in demand during the summer transfer window following his strong 2018/19 campaign with Burnley.
In fact, he has been a consistent performer for the Clarets ever since signing from Brentford in 2016. His rock-solid displays for Sean Dyche’s side has also seen him earn two international caps under Gareth Southgate.
Read more Wolves news, click here: Wolves United latest news
The England international is ready to make the next step up in his career. Wolves could offer the defender the chance to prove himself at the highest level.
For their part, Nuno’s side would be acquiring an experienced, reliable and proven Premier League centre-back. Tarkowski would bring stability, experience, calmness and most importantly competition for the current Wolves defenders.
Signing Tarkowski in January would represent a massive statement from Wolves, but they’ll need to be ready to fork out a substantial amount of money to persuade Burnley into selling one of their prized assets.
Everton is having a bad season so far, from their poor form in the league…
Communication is the heartbeat of any successful soccer team. On the field, amidst the flurry…
In the annals of football history, few names evoke as much reverence and admiration as…
Are you new to the world of football betting and would you like to take…
If you are into sports betting, staying ahead of the game is crucial. One way…
I have prepared some interesting and fun football facts for you, perfect for those who love the thrill of discovery almost as much as the excitement found at https://www.staycasino.com/. Like the unpredictable nature of casino games, these facts will surprise and intrigue you with unexpected twists and turns in the world of football. Here is the complete list of 40 interesting and fun facts about football. What are the most interesting facts about football? Football was invented in Italy, Messi is the highest-paid athlete, and the fastest a player has been sent off is 0 seconds! Stay ahead with these facts and impress with your knowledge. This collection contains many football facts that will surprise you. Tell your friends new facts they don't know. Interesting Facts About Football Every football fan should know these facts. You can also surprise your children with what they don't know! When was football invented? Modern football originated from the Florentine game of Calcio Fiorentino, played in the 14th …