Wolves 2023/24 season preview: Key players, summer transfers, squad numbers & predictions

After a summer of penny pinching and big player sales, things have gone from bad to worse for Wolverhampton Wanderers supporters.

Just days before the Premier League season begins, Wolves have parted ways with Julen Lopetegui. The Spanish coach, who helped save the Old Gold from relegation last campaign, had grown frustrated at the lack of financial resources available to him, and ultimately the lack of ambition from the club.

Gary O'Neil has been appointed as his successor despite having been sacked by Bournemouth this summer, a slightly underwhelming appointment given they have just parted ways with a manager who has taken charge of Real Madrid, Sevilla, Porto and the Spanish national team.

Credit must go to O'Neil for saving Bournemouth from relegation last season though, an achievement he will need to emulate at Molineux.

Here is 90min's preview of Wolves' 2023/24 season.

Wolves' performance last five seasons

Summer transfers

Ins:

• Matheus Cunha (FW) - Atletico Madrid - £44m
• Boubacar Traore (MF) - Metz - £9.5m
• Matt Doherty (DF) - Atletico Madrid - free transfer
• Tom King (GK) - Northampton Town - free

Outs:

• Ruben Neves (MF) - Al Hilal - £47m
• Nathan Collins (DF) - Brentford - £23m
• Conor Coady (DF) - Leicester City - £7.5m
• Raul Jimenez (FW) - Fulham - £5.5m
• Ryan Giles (DF) - Luton Town - undisclosed
• Hayao Kawabe (MF) - Standard Liege - undisclosed
• Matija Sarkic (GK) - Millwall - undisclosed
• Ki-Jana Hoever (DF) - Stoke City - loan
• Luke Cundle (MF) - Plymouth Argyle - loan
• Chiquinho (FW) - Stoke City - loan
• Louie Moulden (GK) - Rochdale - loan
• Tyler Roberts (FW) - Doncaster Rovers - loan
• Theo Corbeanu (FW) - Grasshopper - loan
• Nigel Lonwijk (DF) - Grasshopper - loan
• Yerson Mosquera (DF) - FC Cincinnati.- loan
• Diego Costa (FW) - released
• Adama Traore (FW) - released
• Joao Moutinho (MF) - released

Squad numbers

*Matt Doherty and Bruno Jordao haven't yet been assigned squad numbers.

Key players

Star player

There are not many standout players among this current Wolves crop, but Matheus Cunha certainly has the potential to be the club's star striker next season.

Now his loan move has been made permanent, the Brazilian will be expected to improve on his tally of two league goals last season. He certainly possesses the potential at 24-years-old, hence why Wolves splashed £44m on him, and his three pre-season goals suggest he's beginning to find his feet.

With a lack of clarity heading into the new season at Molineux, Cunha's goals could be the difference for Wolves.

One to watch

His big-money move from Sporting CP is yet to fully work out at Wolves, but Matheus Nunes has shown glimpses of brilliance at Molineux.

The central midfielder has not been as commanding in the Premier League as he was in Portugal, only managing a goal and an assist in 34 Premier League matches - although the goal was sensational.

O'Neil will be hoping to get the best from the young midfielder - who has been linked with Liverpool for some time - and turn those purple patches into consistent brilliance. With Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho departing, Nunes has big shoes to fill.

2023/24 kits

Home kit

Away kit

Premier League prediction

It promises to be a season of great uncertainty for Wolves. A quick managerial change, some big names having left, financial turmoil - the signs are not overwhelmingly positive.

However, Wolves do still have some top players in their side capable of winning matches. The likes of Cunha, Pablo Sarabia and Pedro Neto can all produce going forward, while Jose Sa, Max Kilman and Craig Dawson all offer solidity at the other end of the pitch.

It feels as if it really is a coin toss as to whether Wolves perform well or poorly this season. For those inside Molineux, they will be hoping it's the former and not the latter.

Wolves 2023/24 Premier League prediction - 17th

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