Transfer window: The verdict

[justanotherwolf]

Now it's being reported that business is done, here's a summary/verdict...​

Wolves transfers in​

Sasa Kalajdzic — Stuttgart, £15.4million
Matheus Nunes — Sporting Lisbon, £42million
Goncalo Guedes — Valencia, £27.5million
Nathan Collins — Burnley, £20.5million
Boubakar Traore - Metz, loan (€11m to buy)

Wolves transfers out​

Morgan Gibbs-White — Nottingham Forest, £25-42.5million
Patrick Cutrone — Como 1907, nominal
Trincao - end-of-loan
Conor Coady — Everton, loan
Fabio Silva — Anderlecht, loan
Ryan Giles — Middlesbrough, loan
John Ruddy — released
Romain Saiss — released
Marcal — released
Ki-Jana Hoever — PSV, loan
Leander Dendoncker — Aston Villa, £13million
Willy Boly - £2m~

Headlines​

1) We've lost a lot of depth for (in theory) 1st team quality upgrades/options.
2) Under Nuno, our centre-backs were generally Coady plus 2 from 3 of Boly, Dendoncker and Saiss. To move all four on in one transfer window is extraordinary.
3) We've finally spent big money on central midfield for the first time since promotion. Neves & Moutinho are still here.

Postives​

If you'd said before the summer that we'd get a quality attacking CM, keep Moutinho and Neves and sign a physical player as cover/alternative, plus get a new striker, plus a top English CB prospect, plus a goal-scoring wide forward, every single Wolves supporter would be ****-a-hoop.

Negatives​

Such massive turnover in one window and so late in the day puts massive pressure on Bruno to galvanise the squad in a very short space of time - if it takes a couple of months to get everyone up to speed a third of the season will have gone - too late!! We've also gone from being overstocked at centre-back to short of cover.

Verdict​

On paper great, in practice concluding business so late has put us miles behind where we should be.

Probably exactly the window we needed to secure the team for a the coming years if we minimise the suffering of the next couple of months / this year - patience needed but hard to give and unlikely to be given!!

Do you agree?​

 

[Premier Quality]

If we get shot of Hwang as well its practically the transfer window of my dreams!

 

[sheffwolf]

Yes! This is the major overhaul that many people have been asking for. Some really exciting player in, and some clever deals to keep the wage bill manageable. We just need to be patient now and let the team settle in.

 

[TibbertonWolf]

Boly out as well?

 

[Polish Wolf]

An excellent window for at least two reasons: 1st is obviously the stronger squad, 2nd is that Fosun have backed us strongly again - for the first time since promotion. The excitement with the project is back, or almost... We need results.

 

[Tezthewolvesfan]

Fantastic....need to start winning games now

 

[Bugsy911]

Not enough experience cover now in the squad (which was bad before).

Any injury to a first team player and we are playing kids , the centre back scenario is madness and a disaster waiting to happen.

 

[Skrilla]

It's an A for me, would have been an A+ with an experienced centre back as cover. Full back cover isn't a major issue with Jonny capable of playing both sides and Bueno fairly close to being first team ready.

Well done to those involved, definitely contends with the window when we came up. Need to see more from Guedes (hopefully with more help around him), and for Kalajdzic to stay healthy. Nunes signing was a complete shocker, and he's only going to get better the more he plays. Collins has fit in seamlessly, amazing that he's still only 21. Traore might give us something different.

Yet to be convinced that Bruno can get the best out of this squad, but time will tell if he can figure it out.

 

[Glow69]

Fantastic window.

Nuno era has officially ended

 

[Rhoswolf]

Firstly keeping Neves and Neto is beyond what I expected.

Some great signings, slight concerns about strength at CB, but beyond my wildest expectations, now just need a manager to de;liver.

 

[WolfLing]

Firstly keeping Neves and Neto is beyond what I expected.

Some great signings, slight concerns about strength at CB, but beyond my wildest expectations, now just need a manager to de;liver.

Please, give it an hour!!!

 

[DPE]

Best window ever 9.5/10 the project is on.

 

[Rhoswolf]

Please, give it an hour!!!

Happy to do so

 

[Loojay]

It's an A for me, would have been an A+ with an experienced centre back as cover. Full back cover isn't a major issue with Jonny capable of playing both sides and Bueno fairly close to being first team ready.

Well done to those involved, definitely contends with the window when we came up. Need to see more from Guedes (hopefully with more help around him), and for Kalajdzic to stay healthy. Nunes signing was a complete shocker, and he's only going to get better the more he plays. Collins has fit in seamlessly, amazing that he's still only 21. Traore might give us something different.

Yet to be convinced that Bruno can get the best out of this squad, but time will tell if he can figure it out.

Agreed, A* with Dawson, A without

 

[Oliwolf44]

Can understand every departure, fee for MGW was way too good to turn down. Incomings very exciting. Whole team needs time to gel. Maybe short of cover though? Who will score all the goals, a lot of pressure on Kalajdzic to hit the ground running.

Kept Neves and Neto the two main things and added Nunes!

 

[WasStefan]

Sa
Sarkic

RAN
Jonny

Semedo

Collins
Kilman
Mosquera
Toti

Neves
Nunes
Moutinho
Boubacar

Guedes
Neto

Podence
Traore
Hwang

Jimenez
Sasa


Missing midfield/ defensive cover imo, and light at full back until Chiq comes back (i still think he will end up there)

Apart from that, good enough until January.

 

[Wignall 3-0]

Under Bruno, Kilman has been given his chance to be the main man at CH. Nuno for some reason had a downer on Kilman. As Cutrone said - Nuno had his favourites.

This is a massive transfer window for the Wolves. Some would say a massive gamble, only time will tell if the gamble has paid off.

 

[WeAreTheWolvesII]

I'd give it a 10/10 from what I expected but 8.5/10 overall.

Keeping Neves was unexpected but I don't think it's brilliant news until he signs a new contract, otherwise we lose him for £25m max next summer which would be a shame, even if I wouldn't begrudge him not extending his deal.

Nunes, on paper, is an incredible signing. Guedes, on paper, looks a very good signing and we have (hopefully) brought in the type of midfielder we lack in Traore. Similarly, Kalajdzic is a very good signing and has the qualities we're lacking. Collins looks a superb signing.

The only negatives are the fact the business was virtually all done too late but that's not necessarily Wolves' fault and we're at least one defender short. That could become a massive issue if we have one injury to Kilman or Collins, so fingers crossed they stay fit until January.

Overall, huge credit to Fosun and whilst it wasn't perfect it was very good and Lage can have no real complaints.

The spotlight is firmly on the manager now. He has to get this team doing more otherwise he goes, because some top-class coaches would love to work with a group like this.

 

[wolvesaywe]

Incredible window

Anyone who expects instant gelling is completely oblivious to the reality of football

Give Lage time FFS

 

[Dingle Chris]

We’ve left ourselves very short once agin in my opinion.

 

[Contrarian]

How does it compare with other teams windows? That's what we are in competition with, not our own previous windows.

 

[wolfgar]

Much much better than I’d hoped. Think Dawson would have been an excellent signing, so bit deflated on that, but we haven’t lost anyone I cried about and we’ve made some very good signings. Would love to see us add Denayer for a bit of cover/experience if we can? If not then I really hope Kilman and Collins can stay fit.

 

[Dingle Chris]

We’ve basically got one striker as Jiminez is done.

 

[Bostin]

Major upgrades to the spine of the team, got rid of alot of deadwood.

Still short of an attacking midfielder IMO, but that’s my only complaint.

 

[NottsWolves]

Don’t think many would have predicted this.

Honestly if at the end of May you had told me Neves would still be here and Coady gone, I have thought you were mad!

 

[manchesterwolf17]

Really pleased with it.

Improved the spine of the side, no doubt. I understand the qualms over depth, but none of the players we've let go are worth losing any sleep over. Getting around 50m for MGW and Dendoncker is exceptional business. Also feel the Boubacar Traore signing will be far more significant than some might imagine. Having that different type of CM will be a huge asset.

Plus, we've kept my two favorite players in Neves and Adama.

8/10

 

[RosehillWolf]

We have left ourselves woefully short at CB , surely we must still be working on getting someone else in ?

 

[JadeWolf]

I’d argue the only reason for keeping a lot of the players we’ve moved on is sentiment. I’d have liked to see what Gibbs-White could do under Bruno’s coaching but I get why we took the big fee. Coady is a modern day Wolves legend but if it’s true that he didn’t want to stay as a bench player then I’m more than happy for him to move.

I don’t think you can question the signings we’ve brought in. Collins is an upgrade on all of our central defenders, Nunes will transform our midfield, Guedes will hopefully fill the Jota shaped hole we’ve had for two years, Traore is a different option and Big Sasa will hopefully bring goals.

On the face of it it’s a bloody brilliant transfer window, and it’s now over to the players and the coach to turn it to reality.

 

[CelebrityWolf]

7.5/10 for me.

Some very nice incomings but far too many outgoings with a few we should have retained for some better depth. Our season basically hinges on whether Kilman and Collins remain fit.

 

[NottsWolves]

I’d argue the only reason for keeping a lot of the players we’ve moved on is sentiment. I’d have liked to see what Gibbs-White could do under Bruno’s coaching but I get why we took the big fee. Coady is a modern day Wolves legend but if it’s true that he didn’t want to stay as a bench player then I’m more than happy for him to move.

I don’t think you can question the signings we’ve brought in. Collins is an upgrade on all of our central defenders, Nunes will transform our midfield, Guedes will hopefully fill the Jota shaped hole we’ve had for two years, Traore is a different option and Big Sasa will hopefully bring goals.

On the face of it it’s a bloody brilliant transfer window, and it’s now over to the players and the coach to turn it to reality.

Agree, except I think Kilman pips Collins. But definitely an upgrade. I think they will form a great partnership

 

[Alex Rae The Substitute]

Another new centre back of first team quality would have been icing on cake.

On paper it looks an exciting window. Now we just need to hope the exciting performances and points follow suit.

 

[Woolywolf]

The thing I’m most disappointed about is the departure of MGW. He didn’t give us a choice and we got good money, but I’m convinced that he would have been perfect in our new formation, and will prove to be a top player.

 

[SingYourHeartsOut]

I'll confess, having kept the faith for a while January and the start of this window broke me. For us to have signed probably 5 genuine first teamers, while shifting out a bunch of (respectfully) squad fillers, is unbelievable business.

Sadly I'm rapidly losing faith in the coach, but I'm back to believing Fosun will do what needs to be done.

 

[Greeno]

Is Denayer still unattached? We can still sign him for cover if so, can’t we?

 

[Tring Wolf]

Amazing window on paper. Have focused on upgrading the spine of the team, addressed long-standing ‘problem areas’, kept hold of Neves and Neto and recouped good money for players coming towards the end of their contracts. A window of hugely positive intent.

Only slight criticisms I have are the timing of the Fabio loan (I’d have personally kept him but fully understand why we felt he needed regular football) and the lack of quality cover in the keeping and defensive positions (I’d be nervous if Sa or Collins/Kilman got injured).

A 9 out of 10 window for me…

…so why do I still feel so worried about this season?…

 

[Oldgold Wolfcub]

Not enough experience cover now in the squad (which was bad before).

Any injury to a first team player and we are playing kids , the centre back scenario is madness and a disaster waiting to happen.

Yep its a great transfer window as long as no one gets injured,suspended or loses form or we need to make a tactical change during the game.

 

[oldgoldheart]

I thought we had zero money. I thought neves would leave. Instead we have bought wisely, shifted people either past their best or peripheral. Even gibbs white was a frustrating player for all his wolves career. For me this is a 10/10 window. We now need to convert it into wins

 

[reanswolf]

On paper a quite superb window but I just wish we had time to gel.

 

[Greeno]

Yep its a great transfer window as long as no one gets injured,suspended or loses form or we need to make a tactical change during the game.

No chance of losing form. No one is in-form by the looks the only way is up!

 

[JadeWolf]

Amazing window on paper. Have focused on upgrading the spine of the team, addressed long-standing ‘problem areas’, kept hold of Neves and Neto and recouped good money for players coming towards the end of their contracts. A window of hugely positive intent.

Only slight criticisms I have are the timing of the Fabio loan (I’d have personally kept him but fully understand why we felt he needed regular football) and the lack of quality cover in the keeping and defensive positions (I’d be nervous if Sa or Collins/Kilman got injured).

A 9 out of 10 window for me…

…so why do I still feel so worried about this season?…

Sarkic is a much better back up than Ruddy, in my opinion.