Gary O’Neil’s Wolverhampton Wanderers defied all expectations through the 2023/24 season to outlive relegation, even when many believed they might face the drop and return to the Championship.
That was a sentiment shared by many, together with the BBC Sport’s chief soccer author Phil McNulty, who defined firstly of final time period that he had a “very, very worrying feeling” concerning the Previous Gold.
Nevertheless, the Midlands membership greater than averted the drop final time period, ending 14th on 46 factors, which noticed them find yourself 20 factors away from 18th place Luton City, who suffered the drop themselves after getting to simply 26 factors.
With 2024/25 properly and actually upon us, McNulty has as soon as once more submitted his predictions, this time predicting Wolves to complete fifteenth, believing they “can keep away from hazard”. That stated, they’ve made a poor begin to the marketing campaign, shedding two out of two video games and conceding eight targets.
They’ve thus far dropped factors to Arsenal, struggling a 2-0 defeat to the Gunners, and Chelsea, to whom they shipped a whopping six targets. Given the actual fact they’re leaking targets, they might properly try to strengthen on the again earlier than Friday’s deadline and have been linked with one man who may add high quality in defence.
Wolves goal Championship defender
The participant in query right here is Sheffield United and Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Anel Ahmedhodzic. After impressing throughout his time at Bramall Lane, the centre-back has been linked with a transfer again to the Premier League following the Blades’ relegation.
In response to a report from TEAMtalk, the Previous Gold ‘are set to step up their pursuit’ of the 25-year-old, after they missed out on the signature of Dara O’Shea, who signed for Ipswich City as an alternative.
The report explains that O’Neil is ‘determined so as to add extra cowl and high quality’ to his backline, particularly after the disastrous efficiency on Sunday in opposition to Chelsea which noticed them lose 6-2. The shortage of Max Kilman on the again for Wolves, who joined West Ham, is alleged to be a giant miss.
When it comes to a worth, there are rumours that Ahmedhodzic has a launch clause value £17m in his Bramall Lane contract. That’s one thing that matches Wolves’ tight finances of a reported £20m. Nevertheless, the Blades appear satisfied that the defender will stay on the membership this summer season.
Why Ahmedhodzic could be a superb signing
The Bosnian defender was an important participant below Chris Wilder final season. Regardless of his efforts, he couldn’t maintain the Blades within the high flight. Nevertheless, he did function in 31 video games, though it was a tough marketing campaign defensively for Sheffield United, as they stored only one Premier League clear sheet.
Regardless of that, the Bosnian might be an excellent higher signing than the aforementioned O’Shea would have been for the Previous Gold. The Republic of Eire worldwide joined the Tractor Boys for a price of £12m up entrance, with £3m in add-ons.
While Wolves is likely to be annoyed that they missed out on a high goal, it might be a blessing in disguise that they now have the prospect to signal Ahmedhodzic, who was described as a “dominant” centre-back by soccer expertise scout Jaceg Kulig.
He’s an excellent field defender like Kilman is, and his stats on Fbref stack up properly in opposition to the brand new Ipswich defender.
Per 90 minutes final season, the 25-year-old averaged 3.37 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes, in comparison with simply two from the Irishman. The Bosnian additionally makes extra clearances per sport than Ipswich’s new centre-back, with 4.66 in comparison with 4.5, additional reinforcing the actual fact he’s an excellent field defender.
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Ahmedhodzic vs. O’Shea defensive stats |
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|---|---|---|
|
Stat (per 90) |
Ahmedhodzic |
O’Shea |
|
Tackles and interceptions |
3.37 |
2 |
|
Clearances |
4.66 |
5 |
|
Blocks |
1.46 |
1 |
|
Stats from FBref |
||
When it comes to their on-the-ball high quality, the Sheffield United defender as soon as once more trumps O’Shea. Ahmedhodzic averaged 1.46 progressive passes per sport, in comparison with simply 0.5 for the previous Burnley defender, one thing that’s essential in O’Neil’s transitional system.
For a price of round £17m, which is within the Previous Gold’s finances, he might be the dream centre-back signing and an excellent higher choice than O’Shea, who is an effective participant in his personal proper, however not fairly statistically nearly as good as Ahmedhodzic.
It could definitely be a shrewd piece of enterprise for Wolves late on within the window.
