Wolves dream XI: The perfect line-up for Wolverhampton Wanderers post January transfer window

Bruno Lage has made it clear he is in need of new signings in the January transer window
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Due to Covid postponements, Wolverhampton Wanderers have played their last game of 2021.

Bruno Lage’s side will go into the New Year with games in hand on those around them and yet more importantly will do so sitting comfortably in the top half of the Premier League.

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With the cards that he has been dealt, the new manager has done a fantastic job. Working with a threadbare squad, ravaged with injuries - it can only be admired from the outside looking in.

But, you feel working this way cannot go on forever and reinforcements in January are a must.

The good news is, as we enter 2022, a number of key players will begin returning to fitness and to have that in the arsenal as well as some new blood through the door - it feels like the back end of the campaign has the potential to be a special one for Wanderers.

All ifs and buts, of course, but if Lage is given the funds to bring in some fresh faces and he gets who he wants - here’s a look at the XI we could see donning the gold and black for the remainder of the season.

Bruno Lage, Manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers interacts with the crowd following the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton WandererBruno Lage, Manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers interacts with the crowd following the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderer
Bruno Lage, Manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers interacts with the crowd following the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderer

Formation: 3-4-3

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New signings in January would allow Lage to alter his formation for certain games and during certain situations in different match-ups.

He’s noted this as a key for him moving forward on numerous occassions but with that said - the 3-4-3 that he currently deploys does work well for the players and even with new additions will probably serve as his go-to.

GK - Jose Sa

Lage addressed this position in the Summer and he did so by adding one of Wolves’ player of the seasons so far. A real top keeper with the potential to become even better.

RWB - Nelson Semedo

Semedo has had his critics but he’s still young with plenty of potential. May be a position they look to address further down the line.

CB - Romain Saiss

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Part of a back three that has been superb so far this season. Don’t think many would be wanting him to lose his place any time soon.

CB - Conor Coady

Echo the above and then some. Has been on the end of a fair amount of stick from fans but has redeemed himself this campaign with numerous big captain performances.

 Max Kilman of Wolverhampton Wanderers controls the ball during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers  and  Chelsea at Molineux Max Kilman of Wolverhampton Wanderers controls the ball during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers  and  Chelsea at Molineux
Max Kilman of Wolverhampton Wanderers controls the ball during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea at Molineux

CB - Max Kilman

Player of the year so far for many. Hard to believe he’s only 24-years-old. Is only going to get better and better.

LWB - Rayan Ait-Nouri

One of the very few players to not give Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah an inch when they met at Molineux. Superb going forward and is improving defensively game by game.

CM - Ruben Neves

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Consistently brilliant and will be one of the first men in the middle regardless of signings. Could definitely see him benefiting with a new partner, though.

CM - Renato Sanches

New players do actually exist in this line-up and the first one in is the Portuguese Sanches.

The Lille midfielder has been linked with a move to Molineux since the Summer and would be an exciting addition to an already talented group.

His first spell in England didn’t go well but he’s rediscovered his form of late and has shown why he used to be thought of as one of the best midfielders in Europe. He’s the type of player that would flourish under Lage.

LW - Pedro Neto

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Expected back in the squad toward the back end of January, Neto will be like a new signing himself.

Wolves have lacked a cutting-edge in forward areas this year and had Neto been fit you can only presume he’d have taken some of the missed opportunities that have come their way.

Joao Felix of Atletico de Madrid celebrates scoring the opening goal during the La Liga Santander match between Granada CF and Club Atletico de MadridJoao Felix of Atletico de Madrid celebrates scoring the opening goal during the La Liga Santander match between Granada CF and Club Atletico de Madrid
Joao Felix of Atletico de Madrid celebrates scoring the opening goal during the La Liga Santander match between Granada CF and Club Atletico de Madrid

ST - Joao Felix

Atletico Madrid appear to have made Felix available for loan and whilst it may be a longshot - there’s always a chance.

Raul Jimenez has struggled to rediscover his goalscoring form which is no surprise following his near career-ending injury and an addition like the Portuguese forward that can make an instant impact would take some much needed pressure off of the Mexican.

RW - Adama Traore

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Traore still appears to be able to offer more than any of the other players that Wolves have in these areas aside from Neto who has of course been absent for some time.

With the addition of Felix up top and the return of Neto - I feel you’d start to see Traore’s statistics looking far more impressive, too.

Subs:

  • John Ruddy (GK)
  • Nat Phillips
  • Raul Jimenez
  • Jonny Otto
  • Daniel Podence
  • Hwang Hee-Chan
  • Marcal
  • Leander Dendoncker
  • Joao Moutinho

What’s your perfect line-up for Wanderers post January? Let us know in the comment section below.

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