Wolves have long been recognized as a club with a sharp eye for recruitment, player development, and tactical innovation. Over the years, they have earned a reputation for finding hidden gems and transforming them into elite players who can make a real impact in the Premier League. However, this success has often come at a price. As they bring in promising young talents and help them fulfill their potential, there’s a constant risk that these same players will eventually be lured away by the bigger clubs with deeper pockets and greater financial power. Once again, this phenomenon has come to the fore in the current summer transfer window, as Matheus Cunha and Rayan Aït-Nouri have both completed high-profile moves to more prominent clubs, leaving Wolves facing the familiar challenge of rebuilding.

The Departures of Cunha and Aït-Nouri: A Bitter Pill to Swallow

The departure of Matheus Cunha to Manchester United earlier this summer is undoubtedly one of the most significant losses for Wolves. The Brazilian forward was arguably their most influential player last season, providing crucial contributions both in terms of goals and assists. Cunha’s versatile attacking play was a key factor in the success of Vítor Pereira’s tactical system, as he frequently operated as both a striker and a winger, offering flexibility and dynamism to Wolves’ offensive play. Over the course of the 2024/25 season, Cunha accumulated an impressive 32 goal involvements (goals and assists combined), underlining his importance to the team.

The 24-year-old’s move to Manchester United for a significant fee is a testament to his abilities and potential, but it also represents a substantial loss for Wolves. Cunha’s departure leaves a significant gap in the attacking third, as his combination of technique, creativity, and work rate made him one of the most dangerous players on the field. His exit means Wolves must now find a player who can match his output and style of play, a task that will undoubtedly be a challenge.

Similarly, the loss of Rayan Aït-Nouri to Manchester City is another blow for Wolves. The 23-year-old left-back was a standout performer for the club, providing both solid defensive contributions and attacking flair down the left flank. Aït-Nouri’s ability to push forward and contribute to the team’s offensive play made him one of the most exciting young full-backs in the Premier League. His marauding runs down the wing, combined with his defensive solidity, made him a key player in both ends of the pitch.

Aït-Nouri’s transfer to Manchester City, a club known for its financial might and ability to attract top talent, is hardly a surprise. However, it still leaves Wolves with a significant hole to fill in their defensive ranks. Aït-Nouri’s attacking prowess, combined with his defensive reliability, will be sorely missed as Wolves seek to replace him with a player of similar quality. The £100 million combined transfer fees for Cunha and Aït-Nouri, though significant, reflect the players’ value on the market. While these sales offer financial benefits to the club, the question remains: Can Wolves sustain their competitive edge in the Premier League when their best players are consistently poached by bigger clubs?

The Challenge of Constant Rebuilding

The pattern of Wolves developing players only to see them move on to richer clubs is a well-worn cycle that many clubs of similar stature face. For Wolves, the key challenge now lies in how to rebuild their squad after the exits of Cunha and Aït-Nouri. Historically, the club has been able to identify potential stars in the transfer market, often bringing in players who have flourished under the tutelage of their coaching staff. Yet, the departure of two key players in the same transfer window is a significant hurdle for any team.

The task now facing Vítor Pereira and the Wolves recruitment team is to ensure that the team remains competitive despite these losses. The club must not only replace the void left by Cunha and Aït-Nouri but also ensure that other players in the squad are not tempted by lucrative offers from rival clubs. It’s a delicate balance—signing the right players to fill the gaps while retaining the core players who form the backbone of the team.

One solution lies in recruitment. Wolves must act quickly to replace the departed players, but the question is whether they can find players who can have the same level of impact. Gerard Martin of Barcelona is reportedly a target to replace Aït-Nouri. The young Spanish full-back has impressed with his potential, but the challenge will be whether he can replicate Aït-Nouri’s effectiveness in the Premier League. Similarly, Wolves will need to find a forward who can offer the same creativity, flair, and goal-scoring threat that Cunha provided.

João Gomes: The New Heart of the Team

Amidst the departures, one player remains the cornerstone of Wolves’ future: João Gomes. The Brazilian midfielder has rapidly become one of the most exciting talents at the club, and now, with Cunha’s exit, Gomes is widely regarded as the most important player in the team. His defensive abilities, coupled with his vision and ability to transition play, have made him a standout performer in Wolves’ midfield.

Gomes’ playing style has earned comparisons to the legendary N’Golo Kanté due to his relentless energy, defensive intelligence, and ability to recover the ball in critical areas. Over the course of the 2024/25 season, Gomes finished third in the Premier League for most tackles, a testament to his immense work rate and his importance in breaking up opposition attacks. The 24-year-old is a ball-winner par excellence, and his tenacity in the midfield is a key reason why Wolves have been able to remain competitive despite the departures of some key players in recent years.

Former Wolves goalkeeper Matt Murray has been full of praise for Gomes, claiming that he has the potential to become one of the best in the world:

“I’m a big fan of Joao Gomes because I just love the way he plays and think he’s brilliant. I like him a lot and he’s a top player. We’ve got some very good young players now, but I think Gomes is right up there and has the potential to be one of the best.”

Murray’s remarks underscore the growing admiration for Gomes’ abilities. His importance to Wolves is undeniable, and he will likely be the key figure in their midfield moving forward.

Dave Edwards: A Perfect Midfield Partnership

It’s not just Murray who holds Gomes in high regard. Dave Edwards, a former Wolves midfielder, has also been effusive in his praise for Gomes. When asked who he would most like to play with, Edwards highlighted the Brazilian as the ideal partner:

“In midfield, with the amount of tackles Joao wins and sets up counter-attacks, I’d love to be an attacking midfielder alongside him there,” Edwards said. “He breaks up play so well, gets the opposition out of shape and if we could go quickly, get the ball out wide and I could get in the box unmarked while Joao Gomes picks up everything else around me. He’s a special, special player and I’d have loved to have played alongside him in the Wolves midfield.”

Edwards’ comments reflect not only Gomes’ defensive prowess but also his ability to contribute to attacking play. His quick transitions from defense to attack can spark counter-attacks that destabilize opposition defenses. Gomes has the rare ability to control the tempo of a game, breaking up opposition moves and quickly launching offensive plays, which is exactly what a player like Edwards would thrive alongside.

The Future of João Gomes: A Key to Wolves’ Ambitions

Wolves fans will be hoping that Gomes will remain at Molineux for the long term. His new contract, signed in April, signals a commitment to the club, but as his reputation continues to grow, the temptation for Champions League clubs to swoop in could be strong. If Wolves are to build a successful future, they will need to ensure that Gomes stays and continues to develop as the heartbeat of their midfield.

Wolves’ strategy moving forward will require them to strike a balance between recruitment and retention. While they must replace the departing players with new talent, they must also safeguard the future of João Gomes and other emerging players who can help drive the team forward. The challenge, of course, is that talented players like Gomes will eventually attract interest from bigger clubs, and Wolves will have to be strategic in managing that interest to avoid losing their most important assets.

Conclusion: Wolves’ Path Forward

The departures of Matheus Cunha and Rayan Aït-Nouri mark another difficult chapter for Wolves, but they are far from the end of the story. The club has a rich history of developing young talent and assembling competitive squads, and now, with the emergence of João Gomes, they have a player who could be the foundation of their future success.

As they navigate the summer transfer window and look to replace the departed stars, Wolves must also focus on retaining their remaining key assets and ensuring that the squad remains strong enough to challenge for European spots. If Gomes continues to develop and play at the level he is capable of, he could become the centerpiece of Wolves’ ambitions for the future, and with the right support, Wolves could continue to build toward greater success in the Premier League.

Ultimately, while the sales of Cunha and Aït-Nouri are disappointing, they are also a reminder of the club’s ability to develop talent that is in high demand. As long as Wolves continue to identify and nurture players like Gomes, they have a bright future ahead—one where they can sustain their competitive edge in the face of constant change.