Alious Vitor Pereira’s January Transfer Window Scrutinized as Wolves Face Attacking Concerns
Wolves concluded a busy January transfer window with three new signings, but pundits Andy Thompson and Lee Naylor believe manager Vitor Pereira may have overlooked a crucial area of need in the squad.
January Arrivals
The Molineux club secured three players during the mid-season window:
– Emmanuel Agbadou from Reims (early January)
– Nasser Djiga from Red Star Belgrade (deadline day)
– Marshall Munetsi from Reims (deadline day)
Agbadou has made an immediate impact, already earning Player of the Month honors at Wolves. Pereira has praised both Agbadou and Munetsi, particularly highlighting their aerial threat from set-pieces, with Munetsi scoring his first goal for the club against Everton.
The Missing Piece?
Despite these additions strengthening the squad defensively and in midfield, former Wolves players Thompson and Naylor have questioned whether Pereira should have prioritized signing an attacking player.
Following the team’s uninspiring attacking display against Everton without Matheus Cunha, Naylor commented: “It’s always difficult January. I’m just glad we kept Cunha. But then, could we have added that one? That one that could have helped us along the way. Could have helped the team, could have helped Cunha, could have helped Strand Larsen.”
Thompson then half-jokingly suggested: “There could have been a cheeky bid to Fulham for Traore, bring him back!”
The Adama Factor
Thompson elaborated on his Adama Traore suggestion: “With the position we were in in January, and we were lower down, you’re just trying to get something that’s different to what you’ve got already. I know Adama Traore came here and played really well. That’s the kind of player we want. That’s going to cause teams problems.”
He continued, “I just think it would have been one of the things we should have looked for. Somebody who could have just opened up defences. With that movement and running ability with the ball. Because the only player we’ve got is Cunha.”
Concerning Signs
The concerns raised by Thompson and Naylor were partially validated by Wolves’ performance against Everton without Cunha. Despite dominating possession with 527 passes—their most in any game this season—they managed an expected goals (xG) figure of just 0.77, indicating a lack of quality chances created.
Existing Options
While a new attacking signing might have been beneficial, Wolves do have several players who could potentially fill the void left by Cunha’s absence:
– Goncalo Guedes
– Hwang Hee-chan
– Rayan Ait-Nouri
– Jean-Ricner Bellegarde
With Cunha unavailable for the next two matches, Pereira might consider deploying one of these players in closer proximity to striker Jorgen Strand Larsen to improve their attacking output.
Window Priorities
It’s worth noting that Wolves’ transfer strategy in January was primarily focused on defensive reinforcements following Yerson Mosquera’s injury and finding a replacement for Mario Lemina. Whether the decision not to strengthen their attack will prove costly remains to be seen.
Alious
