Comment: Time to prove lessons have been learned at Wolves
“Absolutely huge” was how ex-boss Paul Lambert described this summer for Wolves – and Nuno Espirito Santo would certainly echo those sentiments.
The dust has now settled on Fosun’s change of head coach, with attention turning to what is a considerable rebuilding job of the playing staff.
The departures of Mike Williamson, Richard Stearman, James Henry and Andreas Weimann are just the start of what’s expected to be a big clearout this summer.
That takes a 35-man squad down to 31. The likes of Andy Lonergan, who is understood to have been told he will leave, Jed Wallace and possibly Ethan Ebanks-Landell are likely to follow before long.
More trimming needs to take place and there are sure to be a couple of surprise exits.
But Wolves’ 2017/18 season will be defined by those who come through the Molineux doors in the next three months – and that’s where the picture becomes a little murkier.
For a start it’s not abundantly clear exactly who’s pulling the strings,
During last summer’s six-week trolley dash 12 signings came from a variety of sources, via a number of recommendations, with Kevin Thelwell, Andrea Butti and that man Jorge Mendes orchestrating matters when one man, the sporting director, should have had overall control in close conjunction with the head coach.
It was organised chaos with no coherent plan. And what followed, duly, was organised chaos on the pitch with a number of signings (Paul Gladon, Silvio, Ola John, Joao Teixeira and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson) seeing little-to-no game time over the following months.
Proven Championship players such as Shane Duffy (who played a key role for promoted Brighton) and Chris Martin (who had been lined up on both permanent and loan deals and who, despite a mid-season hissy fit, went on to score 13 goals for Fulham, more than any Wolves player managed) were eschewed in favour of gambles. In Martin’s place came Gladon.
What can’t happen this summer is any semblance of a repeat.
While the addition of 27-year-old centre half Ryan Bennett is a welcome one, it’s believed his capture isn’t a sign of what’s to follow in terms of where Wolves’ signings will come from. If so, that's a big warning sign.
Mendes’ influence – and make no mistake that influence is considerable – splits opinion.
You won’t find many arguing that his presence opens up exciting new doors for Wolves and help them attract players – Costa being the prime example – that simply wouldn’t have been an option for them previously.
It’s not Wolves using Mendes that’s the problem...it’s him using Wolves. An agent should not, under any circumstances, be having a say over transfer policy or any other decisions at a football club. It’s asking for trouble.
You get the impression that should Wolves make it to the Promised Land™ Mendes will become far more useful than he is in the Championship, given the technique-based talents at his disposal that will jump at the chance to move to the holy grail of the Premier League.
It’s getting out of the Championship, as Wolves well know, that is the very tricky part and a summer of unproven overseas signings just isn’t the way to do it. Neither, traditionally, is having a coaching staff devoid of English experience, making Nuno’s choice of his three lieutenants from Porto a surprise, but something he is clearly more comfortable with.
Whether Costa stays or goes this summer will be a litmus test. If he’s just been bought to be sold within just six months of arriving then it’ll raise legitimate questions over whether Wolves are merely being used as a pawn – or a shop window – for players to come and go, with one guy getting 10 per cent every time (both from transfer fees and wages).
For every club that Mendes has improved, there’s another he’s taken downhill (just ask Valencia fans who called for his and Nuno’s exit even after that fourth-placed finish).
The trump card in all this could be Nuno. His credentials are excellent and his reputation should help to attract top talent, particularly from Portugal and Spain where his stock is high.
Moving from one of Europe’s most uncompetitive leagues in Portugal, where 32 of the last 35 titles have been claimed by one of two clubs (Benfica or Porto) to the beast that is the Championship, a league of its own where anyone can beat anyone and predictions are futile, will be a challenge.
But the early signs are good. He likes his teams to be organised and hard-working, first and foremost, and his demeanour and initial sound-bites suggests he’ll take no prisoners.
In fact his Valencia team, which finished fourth in 2014/15, was said to play an English style of football. That should make his transition easier.
He’s also, whether you were pro or anti Lambert, a better fit in terms of the structure Fosun desire. He’ll work closely with Mendes and be subservient on signings.
The nagging concern, though, is that the club is being used as a platform for players – and now the head coach – to go on to bigger and better things.
If Nuno is a success will he stay at Molineux beyond a year, or will his friend of 20 years Mendes get him a job in the Premier League, or at one of Europe’s top clubs? If he’s a failure we know he won’t last long either.
The academy, too, mustn’t be forgotten in all this. The current crop is one of the most talented and exciting to emerge from Compton Park in many years. They must be allowed to shine and grow, otherwise the tens of millions of pounds invested will be for little.
Fosun have a three-year plan to get to the Premier League but is there a long-term plan as to who’s going to get them there? If there is, even allowing for 12 months of teething problems, it isn’t yet clear.
After a first year of upheaval they’ve now got the head coach they wanted. In terms of recruitment last summer doesn’t fill you with confidence, but Fosun have the finances, the ambition and the means with which to get it right.
Combine their aspirations and investment with a Champions League-standard head coach and the world’s most important agent, plus the third best academy in England and a large and deeply passionate fanbase and you’ve got all the ingredients you need.
As usual with Wolves, everything should be in place for success. In theory.
