Wolves Begin a Summer of Change as Cunha and Doyle Prepare for Molineux Exits
After finishing the Premier League campaign in spectacular fashion with five consecutive victories, optimism is surging among Wolves supporters heading into the summer. Vitor Pereira has made a strong impression since arriving at Molineux, instilling tactical discipline and extracting consistent performances from a squad that many had written off earlier in the season. However, as the final whistle blew on the 2024/25 campaign, it became abundantly clear that major changes are afoot — both on the pitch and off it.
At the heart of those changes is the impending departure of one of Wolves’ biggest stars, while questions continue to swirl around the future of a young midfielder who, despite his potential, simply hasn’t found a place in Pereira’s system.
Cunha’s Departure: Financial Gain, Tactical Freedom
The biggest story currently surrounding Wolves is the imminent sale of Matheus Cunha to Manchester United. Reports suggest the Red Devils are ready to trigger the Brazilian’s £62.5 million release clause, with personal terms already agreed. It’s a massive move, not only for Cunha but for Wolves, who are poised to make a significant profit on a player they only signed permanently from Atlético Madrid in the previous campaign.
Cunha has undoubtedly been one of the standout players for Wolves over the past two seasons. Blessed with flair, creativity, and an eye for goal, the Brazilian has often been the player to make something happen when Wolves needed inspiration. His ability to drift between the lines, beat defenders, and strike from distance made him a fan favorite, and on paper, losing him seems like a blow to the club’s ambitions.
However, beneath the surface lies a deeper tactical narrative. Since Pereira took over, Wolves have become more cohesive, more aggressive without the ball, and more direct in their transitions. In this new system, Cunha’s individualistic tendencies have at times clashed with the structured demands of the Portuguese manager’s philosophy. Recent results — including the five straight wins to close the season — were achieved without Cunha in the starting XI, adding fuel to the argument that Wolves might be more balanced without him.
It’s a difficult truth for some fans to accept, but in football, sometimes a star player can limit a team’s potential when the system demands uniformity and cohesion. Pereira appears to be building a side that emphasizes work rate, positional discipline, and quick transitions — a system that may benefit more from a mobile front line working in unison rather than a singular creative outlet like Cunha.
The windfall from Cunha’s sale gives Wolves the financial muscle to reshape their squad according to Pereira’s blueprint. While they will lose a player of immense talent, they gain the flexibility to target multiple reinforcements, especially in midfield and attack, and perhaps even reinvest in younger talent with greater tactical suitability.
Tommy Doyle’s Time Running Out: A Midfield Misfit in Pereira’s System
While Cunha’s departure grabs headlines, the future of Tommy Doyle is a subtler, yet equally symbolic subplot in Wolves’ summer narrative. Signed from Manchester City for £4.3 million, Doyle was viewed as a shrewd acquisition — a technically-gifted midfielder with excellent pedigree and experience at the youth international level. At just 23, he still has plenty of room to grow, and on paper, he brought qualities Wolves have often lacked: composure in possession, accurate passing, and an eye for a creative through-ball.
But football isn’t played on paper.
Under Pereira, Doyle has become increasingly marginalised. His last appearance came in January during a dismal 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest — a performance that appeared to mark the end of the manager’s patience. Since then, Doyle has been restricted to the bench, his role diminished to that of an unused squad member.
Pereira, never one to mince words, offered a brutally honest assessment of Doyle’s limitations in a recent interview with the Express & Star. While praising the midfielder’s technical ability, he noted that Doyle “is missing the physicality to face this league.” The Portuguese coach elaborated, saying: “We are not a team to have 80 per cent of possession… We need to run a lot, and he’s missing this physicality, especially when we play with two midfielders.”
In essence, Doyle is a victim of system incompatibility. In a side that relies on intense pressing, box-to-box coverage, and aggressive defensive positioning, Doyle’s strengths — ball retention, set-piece delivery, passing — are often neutralized. He is, as Pereira stated, a player better suited to a team that dominates possession, controls the tempo, and limits defensive transitions.
Pereira did suggest that Doyle could play a role as a number 10 in a three-man midfield, but Wolves simply don’t play that way. In a system built on two midfielders who must both press and cover immense ground, Doyle doesn’t have the engine or defensive instincts to thrive.
A Summer Exit Inevitable — and the Right Move for All Parties
According to reports from Molineux News, Doyle has accepted that he will leave Wolves this summer. Championship clubs showed interest in January — Sunderland being one of them — and those suitors are expected to return with offers once the transfer window reopens.
While some Wolves fans may lament losing a talented player with untapped potential, it is the best move for all parties. Doyle needs regular football in a system that suits him, and Wolves need midfielders who fit Pereira’s physical and tactical requirements.
The Wolves manager himself seemed to acknowledge this, stating: “You cannot be in a place if you are not happy, because we cannot be ourselves. You need to have players here with their mind and heart here.”
That comment speaks volumes. Pereira is building a squad based not only on ability, but on commitment, energy, and tactical clarity. If Doyle doesn’t fit, there is no sense in keeping him on the fringes.
What Comes Next? Pereira’s Vision and the Road Ahead
As Wolves enter the summer transfer window, they do so with clarity. The departure of Cunha will reshape the attack, while Doyle’s likely exit signals a change in midfield priorities. The club now has the resources and the justification to back Pereira in the market — not just with big-name signings, but with players who embody the manager’s style and ethos.
Expect Wolves to target dynamic, athletic midfielders capable of covering ground, disrupting opposition play, and contributing in both phases. In attack, they may look for more balanced forwards who can press from the front and combine fluidly with others.
This summer may not bring glamorous names, but it will bring identity — something Wolves fans have craved for years. Under Pereira, the club finally appears to have a clear vision of who they are and how they want to play.
If they can execute that vision in the transfer market, the 2025/26 season could mark the beginning of an exciting new era at Molineux.
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