Lopetegui future, Doherty, Kilman, Kalajdzic – Wolves questions answered
Wolverhampton Wanderers news from BirminghamLive as Mike Baggaley discusses the key issues around Molineux
Wolves will kick off their new Premier League season in less than five weeks so there is still plenty to do for manager Julen Lopetegui and sporting director Matt Hobbs as they prepare for the club’s sixth successive season in the top flight.
Lopetegui and his players have been on a nine-day training camp in Portugal and the club is set to announce more of the pre-season schedule before the big kick off, at Manchester United on August 14. We are likely to see more sales before then as well as incomings.
Our Wolves correspondent Mike Baggaley answers questions from fellow reporter Matt Davies and supporters about matters on and off the pitch.
Tell us about the Portugal trip, when do the players come back? Mike Baggaley: “They come back today, finishing a nine-day training camp. They have had double training sessions and a behind-closed doors game at the weekend when they beat Vitoria SC 2-1. They were looking at a second behind closed doors game this week.”
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We have spent weeks talking about players who might leave but now, finally, they are being linked with players. Some look more likely than others so what about Matt Doherty? MB: “There is definitely interest from Wolves and this one makes sense. Wolves need a right back to compete with Nelson Semedo and getting Matt Doherty on a free transfer would help them stay the right side of Financial Fair Play rules.
“They would be getting a player they know well, having played 300 games for them before he was sold to Spurs for £15m three years ago. He’s available having finished his short-term deal with Atletico Madrid and, yes, I can see this one happening.”
Playing Devil’s advocate, he didn’t play much at Atletico. Do you see any risk in this move? “The concern I have seen most often from supporters is he did really well at Wolves under Nuno at right wing back but Wolves now play a back four. So, would he be as effective as a right back as he was as a wing-back?
“We are assuming Julen Lopetegui will play with a back four because he usually did that last season. But if he signs Doherty that would give him more scope to change to wing-backs. Or he might deploy him as an attacking right back. I would think, because he did so well at Wolves before Lopetegui arrived, he has been recommended by the recruitment team to the manager.”
You think they will play with a back four next season then? “That is why the pre-season friendlies, against Celtic, Luton and Rennais, will be so interesting. One thing he could do during a game is drop a central midfielder into the middle of the central defenders and push his full backs on. Mario Lemina did that in the last game of the season at Arsenal although I think that was more about shoring up the defence than getting the full backs forward as Wolves were under the cosh.”
One defender who looked like he may leave but now could stay with a new contract is Max Kilman. What’s happening there? “As things stand, Napoli have had a £30m offer turned down and haven’t matched Wolves’ £35m asking price. If he stays then I think there is a good chance that will be with an extended contract. He is already under contract until 2026 with the option for a further year.
“The Kilman situation is interesting. We know Wolves have had to raise money to comply with FFP but the fact they have turned down £30m for him suggests they are not in a precarious postion where they are desperate for funds.”
Going back to Doherty, Jason says that, ‘for a free we can’t grumble’. That’s a fair point isn’t it? “Yes it is. Wolves already have Nelson Semedo on the right and signing Doherty without a fee will free up money to spend in other areas. For example, a striker is needed and they don’t come cheaply.
“Also, it potentially gives Wolves options with the other right backs on their books. Dexter Lembikisa is only 19 but did well when given a first team chance last season. You would think that, if Doherty signs then it could give them the option of loaning him out for regular football, maybe in League One or the Championship. There is also Ki-jana Hoever who did well on loan at Stoke last season. Stoke liked him so maybe he could move on and some money be raised there?”
And what about Jonny Otto? I know he can play left back as well but could he go? “Yes, potentially. It’s been reported Wolves could let him go for the right offer. He can play on either side but Wolves already have plenty of left backs and signing Doherty would strengthen them on the right.”
And in midfield, Wolves have been linked with Arthur Melo from Juventus. He spent last season on loan at Liverpool but hardly played because of injury. What’s happening there? “Wolves aren’t interested in this move. He has been consistently linked with the club over the last couple of days but he’s not on their radar. I am sure they are looking at a midfielder but, for example, Bristol City’s Alex Scott is more likely. The stumbling block there would be the fee. Other clubs linked with him are Tottenham, Bournemouth and West Ham.”
What about Dion Sanderson? “He’s wanted by Birmingham but has been training with Wolves in Portugal. The asking price I believe is around £2.25m. He’s one of a couple of players who could move on for that sort of money. Keeper Matija Sarkic, who is wanted by Stoke, is another.”
Julen Lopetegui is joint favourite with the bookies to be the first Premier League manager to lose his job next season. Is that because of the doubts about whether or not he would stay at the end of last season?
“Yes, I think so. The question then was whether he would walk, not whether he would be sacked. I can’t see Wolves wanting to sack him having worked hard to bring him in and then seen him do such a good job last season.
“As to whether he would want to go, at the end of last season he was made aware of the full financial picture, having said he wasn’t aware of it before. At that point he decided to carry on so I don’t see why he would change his mind.”
Martin says, ‘if he doesn’t get the players he wants, he walks.’ “I can understand concerns because, so far, Wolves have only signed back up keeper Tom King on a free and look like they are bringing in Matt Doherty also on a free. We also know they won’t be spending the sort of money they did last year, the £27.5m for Guedes and £40m for Nunes. It’s more likely that signings will be in the £8m to £15m bracket. But Lopetegui is aware of that so, as long as everyone sticks to the plan that was made clear at the end of the season, I don’t think that would change.”
Jason asks, do you think Wolves will struggle, where will they finish? “I’m thinking 15th . A little earlier in the summer I checked the bookies' odds and they had Wolves to finish 13th . I thought that was maybe a bit optimistic. The big unknown is what players will come in. if they make four or five great signings before the end of August then I would say higher but at the moment, with the uncertainty about signings, I’m going for 15th . The reason it’s that high is because Lopetegui did such a good job last season.”
Chiquinho is back in training which is good news for the club. “Yes, he missed all of last season having suffered a knee injury last July in a friendly. But he had done well in his six months at the club before that. He’s a direct winger who can certainly cross the ball. So, I would think the manager will be considering him as a possible solution for a team that struggled for goals last season. He set up a goal in that friendly win over Vitoria at the weekend so has made a decent start to the summer. I think he has the potential to be an exciting player and a fans’ favourite.”
Paul asks about forwards. They also have Sasa Kalajdzic coming back from injury…
“Yes, he missed last season with a knee injury but is with the squad in Portugal. He had a decent record playing for Stuttgart before Wolves signed him for £15.5m last summer. We never got the chance to find out whether that was a good deal or not. Hopefully we will do now. Considering they have struggled for goals you would think they will be looking at a player like him, a big striker with a decent goal record.”