🐺 Wolves’ 2025/26 Season Preview: A Rebuilding Project with Promise
Wolverhampton Wanderers find themselves at a significant crossroads ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League season. After a campaign marked by underperformance, the club has undergone a series of changes, shedding some key players while welcoming new faces that could shape the future. The departure of Rayan Aït-Nouri to Manchester City and Matheus Cunha is difficult to stomach for Wolves fans, but it opens the door for new opportunities and a fresh chapter under manager Vitor Pereira and newly appointed technical director Domenico Teti.
Wolves’ recruitment this summer points to a thoughtful, long-term rebuilding strategy. While the loss of Aït-Nouri and Cunha will undoubtedly leave a void in the squad, the early signs from the club’s business suggest that there is a plan in place that aims not just to replace the departing stars, but to elevate the team for the future.
🔄 Departures That Stung, But May Benefit the Club in the Long Run
The exits of Aït-Nouri and Cunha were blows to the Wolves squad, no doubt. Aït-Nouri’s growth into one of the Premier League’s most exciting left-backs was nothing short of remarkable. His attacking runs, flair in the final third, and defensive solidity made him a standout player for Wolves, and his debut for Manchester City only reinforced the quality the club has lost.
Similarly, Cunha’s departure removes a player who was a constant threat in the forward line. His ability to dribble past defenders, create space, and score crucial goals was one of the few bright spots for Wolves last season. With both players being integral figures in the squad, the idea of replacing them will not be easy.
However, as the club faces up to these losses, the decision to sell both players suggests that Wolves were prepared to let go of high-profile talents in order to facilitate a larger rebuild. While Fosun, the club’s ownership group, are not known for frequent managerial changes, it is clear that they are backing Vitor Pereira to overhaul the squad and reshape the team into something more balanced, youthful, and forward-thinking.
While these departures will hurt in the short term, they could be seen as a necessary sacrifice for the long-term vision Wolves have in mind—one focused on building from within, investing in youth, and creating a more dynamic squad that can challenge for the upper echelons of the Premier League once again.
🧱 The First Brick: Fer Lopez’s Arrival
One of the most exciting arrivals of the summer is Fer Lopez, a dynamic winger who joined the club from Celta Vigo for a reported £19.5 million. At just 21, Lopez is seen as a highly promising player, someone who could bring much-needed energy and creativity to Wolves’ forward line.
Lopez is known for his pace, technical ability, and flair on the ball. His dribbling skills make him a potential danger on either wing, and his direct style of play should fit well into Pereira’s high-pressing, fluid system. He is capable of beating defenders, delivering crosses, and contributing to the overall attacking movement.
His arrival is also symbolic of a broader strategy at Wolves, where the emphasis is clearly on youthful potential. Unlike the high-profile, marquee signings of the past, Wolves are shifting towards acquiring younger players with higher ceilings—players who can grow with the club over the coming years.
For Wolves supporters, Lopez represents not just a potential matchwinner, but also a glimpse into the type of player Wolves will target going forward: young, talented, and adaptable to the needs of the team.
Lopez’s Integration into Pereira’s System
Under Vitor Pereira, Wolves will likely adopt a more flexible tactical approach, with an emphasis on wide play, ball progression, and an organized press. Lopez, as a winger, could thrive in this setup, particularly if Pereira utilizes him as an inverted winger or a more traditional wide player, depending on the opposition and match context.
Lopez’s arrival is just the first step in what will likely be a more significant overhaul of the squad, with supporters hoping that this is merely the beginning of further reinforcements in key areas.
🌟 Rodrigo Gomes: The Future Is Now?
Perhaps one of the most intriguing players for Wolves fans is Rodrigo Gomes, the young Portuguese winger who joined from SC Braga for £12.7 million in 2024. Despite not being a regular starter during his first season, Gomes showed glimpses of his ability, and many believe that the 21-year-old can be a future star for the club.
In the 2024/25 campaign, Gomes made 25 appearances in the Premier League, with 7 starts, and was deployed in various roles, including as a right and left wing-back. His versatility is an asset, but his final product is still a work in progress. Gomes managed 3 goals last season, two of which came in the Premier League, but perhaps the most worrying statistic was his zero assists.
A Lack of End Product
Liam Keen, a journalist for Express & Star, highlighted Gomes’ lack of assists as a major area for improvement. Keen emphasized that in Pereira’s system, wing-backs are expected to contribute significantly to the attack, providing width, creating chances, and driving forward. Gomes’ lack of assists from a wide position raises concerns about whether he’s ready to step into a more prominent role next season.
Gomes’ improvement in this area will be key to his continued development at Wolves. As a winger or wing-back, the ability to contribute to the team’s attacking play is vital, and Gomes must start influencing matches more consistently, whether that’s through key passes, assists, or more goals.
Despite these shortcomings, Gomes’ potential remains high. His performances for Portugal’s under-21 team, where he netted two goals from the bench in four appearances, suggest that he’s growing in confidence and adapting to a higher level of competition.
A Bright Future?
Wolves fans will be looking for Gomes to show signs of improvement next season. If he can develop more productivity in the final third and add a greater number of assists to his game, he will become an increasingly important player for the club. Pereira may well see him as a key piece in the long-term puzzle, but for now, Gomes will need to show that he can be a regular starter and deliver when it matters most.
🧩 Wing-back Situation: Replacing Aït-Nouri’s Impact
With Aït-Nouri’s departure and Nelson Semedo’s contract expiring, Wolves face a serious question regarding their wing-back options. Both positions need strengthening, and Pereira will need to find a solution quickly to maintain the tactical balance of his system.
Hugo Bueno: The Next Left-Back Option?
Hugo Bueno, who spent last season on loan at Feyenoord, is likely to return to Wolves with hopes of becoming the starting left-wing-back. While Bueno has shown promise, particularly in the Dutch league, he still lacks Aït-Nouri’s attacking verve and pace.
Gerard Martin: Targeted for the Left Flank
Given the club’s current lack of depth in the left wing-back position, Gerard Martin is a name reportedly being linked with a move to Molineux. The Spanish left-back could bring vital experience and tactical maturity to the position, filling the gap left by Aït-Nouri. His signing would give Pereira a more reliable option on the left side, ensuring that Wolves don’t lose too much of their offensive output in that area.
🔄 The Right Flank Dilemma: Kyle Walker-Peters to the Rescue?
With Semedo’s contract running out, Wolves are left with only Rodrigo Gomes and Pedro Lima as viable right-sided options. Neither player is fully proven at the Premier League level, and this could prove to be a weak spot for Wolves next season.
This is where Kyle Walker-Peters—a free agent after leaving Southampton—comes into play. The English full-back would add both experience and quality to Wolves’ right flank. Having proven himself in the Premier League for years, Walker-Peters is well-versed in the demands of top-flight football and can provide both defensive solidity and attacking threat on the right side.
A Smart Free Transfer?
A deal for Walker-Peters could be a savvy acquisition for Wolves, providing the squad with much-needed experience while also ensuring that they remain competitive in a crucial area. If signed, Walker-Peters would likely battle Gomes for the starting spot, with both players bringing different qualities to the team. However, his experience would likely give him the edge in the early part of the season.
🔮 The Bigger Picture: Wolves’ Strategic Rebuild
As Wolves look to rebuild under Pereira and Teti, it’s clear that the club is adopting a strategic, youth-focused approach. The early summer signings and rumors suggest a commitment to developing young talent, while also adding key experienced players where needed.
Rodrigo Gomes, Fer Lopez, and potentially Kyle Walker-Peters will be part of the evolving squad. Wolves are clearly moving towards a more fluid, high-energy tactical style—one that relies on versatile players who can impact the game both in and out of possession.
Long-Term Growth
While the team might not be fully ready to challenge for European spots just yet, Wolves’ focus on long-term development should allow them to grow steadily into a competitive force. With the right signings and continued development of their youth talent, the club can look forward to a brighter future.
🗣️ Conclusion: A New Era at Molineux
Wolves’ 2025/26 season promises to be one of transformation. Although the departures of key players will create a period of adjustment, the foundation is being laid for something more sustainable and exciting. Pereira’s tactical ideas, combined with a youth-driven recruitment strategy, offer Wolves the chance to rise again in the Premier League. With more signings expected, the club’s future looks promising—provided they continue to develop their talents, improve their squad depth, and implement their clear vision.
Fans should expect some growing pains, but the potential is certainly there for Wolves to emerge stronger in the years to come. Patience, adaptation, and tactical evolution will be the keys to success in the 2025/26 campaign.