Wolves, the Defensive Collapse of 2023/24, and the One That Got Away: Cristhian Mosquera
When Wolverhampton Wanderers begin pre-season under Vítor Pereira ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, they will do so knowing that one of the key lessons from last season was the price of hesitation — especially when it comes to defensive recruitment.
The 2023/24 season was a tale of two halves. The first half, under Gary O’Neil, was plagued by poor defensive performances, inconsistency, and a paper-thin squad that lacked the depth to withstand the pressures of a 38-game Premier League campaign. The second half saw a cautious resurgence under Vítor Pereira, driven largely by a more robust and well-organized defence after some much-needed January reinforcements.
Yet, hanging over the club like a storm cloud is one particular name — Cristhian Mosquera. A player Wolves were heavily linked with last summer, Mosquera is now in advanced talks with Arsenal, a move that, should it go through, may mark a painful moment of realization for Wolves: the one that got away.
Last Summer’s Turning Point: The Sale of Max Kilman
Any discussion about Wolves’ defensive woes in 2023/24 begins with the departure of club captain Max Kilman. Sold to West Ham United in a deal that, while financially appealing, left a massive void in the back line, Kilman’s exit was not just a transfer — it was a turning point.
Kilman had been the leader, organiser, and most composed presence in Wolves’ defence. His positional awareness, aerial strength, and leadership were not just valuable on the pitch but symbolic off it. Losing him without an immediate or adequate replacement was a risk that bordered on negligence, and ultimately, it came back to haunt Wolves.
A Threadbare Defence and a Manager Left Exposed
Heading into the new season, Wolves’ defensive options consisted of Craig Dawson, Toti Gomes, and Santiago Bueno. While each player has their merits, this trio lacked both the variety and the volume to withstand the demands of top-flight football.
Craig Dawson, at 34, has experience but not the pace or agility needed against quicker opposition. Toti Gomes is versatile but still inconsistent, and Bueno, although promising, was unproven at Premier League level.
Gary O’Neil, already operating under financial constraints, was not backed with reinforcements in a vital area. And the result? A collapse.
By mid-December, Wolves had conceded more goals than any other team in the Premier League. Defensive errors became routine. Set-pieces were chaotic. Organisation was poor. O’Neil, while innovative at times with his use of full-backs and attacking width, couldn’t plug the holes in a leaking ship. He was dismissed in December, and Wolves found themselves hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone.
Vítor Pereira’s January Repair Job
The appointment of Vítor Pereira brought structure, calm, and, crucially, action.
In January, Wolves moved to sign Emmanuel Agbadou and Nasser Djiga — two physically imposing defenders who added steel and energy to a previously soft centre. While not marquee signings, they were important ones, and they helped stabilise the back line. Wolves improved defensively under Pereira and climbed away from the relegation places, eventually securing survival with a few games to spare.
But even with these additions, Wolves’ defensive unit still lacked a long-term foundation. Agbadou and Djiga, though serviceable, do not possess the elite-level upside or positional versatility needed for European ambitions. The need for a technically gifted, athletic, and composed centre-back remains — and that’s where the name Cristhian Mosquera re-enters the conversation.
Cristhian Mosquera: The Ideal Profile Wolves Missed
A standout performer in La Liga, Cristhian Mosquera is not just another promising defender — he’s arguably one of Europe’s finest young centre-backs.
In the 2023/24 season, Mosquera made 36 appearances in La Liga, with a total of 41 across all competitions for Valencia. At 20 years old, he is already a first-choice player in a league renowned for its tactical sophistication and technical standards. His maturity on the ball, reading of the game, and physical strength make him a rare blend of modern and traditional defensive qualities.
Standing 6ft 2in, Mosquera is dominant in aerial duels, intelligent in buildup play, and quick enough to deal with high lines or cover in wide areas — precisely the attributes Wolves needed last summer, and still do.
Wolves had been linked with Mosquera as early as June 2023, reportedly viewing him as a long-term successor to Kilman. The scouting department was aware of his development. Talent scout Ben Mattinson even labelled him as a “dominant and commanding young defender with massive potential.”
So why didn’t the move happen?
Why Wolves Failed to Act
The exact reasons behind Wolves’ failure to sign Mosquera remain unclear, but several likely factors played a role:
Financial Constraints: With limited spending power and Financial Fair Play regulations looming, Wolves were reluctant to spend aggressively.
Undervaluing Potential: Wolves may have underestimated Mosquera’s readiness to perform at Premier League level, seeing him as one for the future rather than a solution for the present.
Transfer Priorities: The club may have been focused on reinforcing other areas, particularly midfield and attack, given the sales of Ruben Neves and Matheus Nunes in prior windows.
In the end, Wolves hesitated. And now, Arsenal are reportedly in talks to complete a deal for around £17 million — a sum that looks like an absolute steal considering Mosquera’s performances and potential resale value.
The Doherty Dilemma and the Need for a Right-Sided Successor
Wolves’ use of Matt Doherty as a makeshift centre-back was one of the more surprising — yet effective — tactical adjustments of the season. The 33-year-old Irishman shifted from full-back to a central defensive role under both O’Neil and Pereira, showcasing his intelligence and versatility.
Doherty’s presence was crucial in Wolves’ survival, but it is not a sustainable long-term solution. His contract expires in 2026, and given his age, the club needs to identify and develop a successor for that right-sided role.
Mosquera, with his agility and ability to play on the right side of a back three or four, would have been perfect for the transition. Instead, Wolves are left relying on Djiga, Bueno, and the returning Yerson Mosquera, who, while promising, has yet to prove himself in the Premier League.
What Happens Next?
As Vítor Pereira begins planning for the new season, the need for a transformative centre-back remains. If Wolves are to move beyond survival and into mid-table or even top-half contention, they need to build from the back — and they need players capable of growing with the project.
Cristhian Mosquera could have been that player. He still might be — for Arsenal.
If he flourishes at the Emirates under Mikel Arteta, this will go down as not just a missed opportunity, but as a clear marker of how important decisiveness is in the transfer market. Clubs like Wolves, operating on tighter budgets, can’t afford to miss when they scout the right talent. The margin for error is too slim.
Conclusion: The Price of Hesitation
Wolves’ 2023/24 season will be remembered as a campaign in which structural issues nearly led to disaster — and chief among those was a lack of defensive depth.
The failure to sign Cristhian Mosquera — a young, elite-level centre-back available for a modest fee — is symbolic of that broader problem. He was the right player, at the right time, and for the right price.
Instead, Wolves hesitated. Arsenal pounced. And now, Molineux may have to watch from afar as Mosquera develops into the kind of defender they so badly needed — and perhaps still do.
In football, some transfers define a club’s future. For Wolves, the one that didn’t happen might end up defining what they missed.