Wolves are heading into a pivotal summer under Vitor Pereira, already marked by notable early departures that have reshaped the squad ahead of a critical campaign. We spoke with Charlie Haffenden of BirminghamWorld, who shared insight on how Wolves are approaching this summer—where reinforcements are most needed and how the club’s leadership is balancing short-term expectations with a longer-term vision under Pereira.
00:00Wolves are heading into a pivotal summer under Vitor Pereira, already marked by notable early departures that have reshaped the squad ahead of a critical campaign.
00:14With expectations rising and the pressure to push higher up the Premier League table, attention now turns to reinforcing key areas and elevating the team's competitiveness.
00:24The focus at Mollendu is twofold, replace the experience that's been lost and build around a new core capable of meeting Pereira's tactical demands.
00:35Despite exits, there remains strong nucleus within the squad, including Jao Gomez, Andre and Jorgen Strand-Larsen, who are seen as central to Wolves' ambitions.
00:44We caught up with Charlie Haffenden of Birmingham World, who shared insight on how Wolves are approaching this summer, where reinforcements are most needed and how the club's leadership is balancing short-term expectations with a longer-term vision under Pereira.
01:01Yeah, and obviously those two players going out the door. Who do you feel is now the most important player at Wolves?
01:09Because, you know, we saw the welcome of Emmanuel Agbedou. He made a massive difference when he came through the door in January.
01:17And then Andre and Jao Gomez, the two Brazilians in the midfield, you know, one of the best partnerships in the league, it has to be said, on their day.
01:24So, those that sort of standouts now, they've obviously got a few young players as well. Pedro Lima, are we going to see him get his chance early 18 at right back?
01:34Who sort of stands out? You look at Jorgen Strand-Larsen as well, 14 Premier League goals. That certainly can't be ignored by other fans across the Premier League.
01:44I'd have to agree with the names that you've mentioned. Agbedou, starting in the winter, he just saw how much of an impact he had and how much Wolves defence, how much more solid it became as soon as he joined the club.
01:55They were lacking that kind of fairly quick but strong and dominant player in the air. Agbedou, all of those things in abundance.
02:03I think him, alongside Yeozen Mosquera, once he's back from injury, could be a decent partnership.
02:08And, of course, Toti Gomez on the left of that three as well.
02:11Thiago Gomez and Andres, a midfield partnership, can be fantastic. I think they're a bit inconsistent, maybe a little bit hot-headed at times or a little bit rash of their decision-making, but that will come with time.
02:21They're both still very young players and, of course, both being Brazilian in that international set-up together, they have more time, even during international breaks, to build on that partnership.
02:30Jorgen Strand-Larsen, I was worried you weren't going to mention him, scoring quite a few goals.
02:34I think he surpassed what Raul Jimenez managed in his first season at Wolves, so that's really promising indeed.
02:40He'd, of course, coming in permanently from Seltzer.
02:43I think one player that you haven't mentioned, who might not be a Wolves player come the end of June, is Nelson Samedo.
02:50It's just so important, I think, that Wolves convince him to stay.
02:54It's just difficult because he hasn't accepted that contract since it's going on and on.
02:57It feels inevitable now that he's going to leave the club and being the captain, being one of the very few proper leaders in that dressing room,
03:03I think he'll be a big miss.
03:05But if Wolves can keep hold of him, I think he'll be one of the most important players in that squad for many years to come.
03:10Yeah, obviously, since we last caught up, the season ended.
03:14Jorgen Strand-Larsen's figures, 14 Premier League goals.
03:16I think it's important we actually touch on that.
03:18Four Premier League assists as well.
03:21At times, it looked like he struggled throughout the season.
03:24He went through some bad patches.
03:25But the way he ended the season under Vitor Pereira's leadership, especially the last two, three months, he was untouchable.
03:31You know, one of the best players in the Premier League, really, on his day.
03:35And he got some massively important goals, you know, the likes of Ipswich away as well.
03:40What's your thoughts on him and how important he's going to be for Wolves going forward?
03:45Because, you know, scoring goals had been a bit of an issue.
03:47Getting that Raul Jimenez replacement before his head injury, that was a bit of an issue that was overhanging Wolves' dugout.
03:53And now it seems like they've maybe found a solution.
03:57Yeah, they were crying out, weren't they, for that proper centre-forward after Raul Jimenez.
04:01And Strand-Larsen pretty much hit the ground running straight away.
04:04As you mentioned, he was patchy at times.
04:06But I think that's probably a fitness thing.
04:08The fact that Wolves were relying on him so much.
04:11Quite regular fixtures as well, of course.
04:13Not in Europe.
04:14I think that really would have been a problem if Wolves were.
04:16But still playing pretty regularly.
04:17Not quite used to the intensity of the Premier League.
04:19I think Wolves, they need to sign another striker who can compete with Strand-Larsen.
04:24Push into the next level.
04:26Of course, rotate in for him as well when Strand-Larsen gets tired.
04:29But great signing so far.
04:31And hopefully it's not that curse of when he joins permanently that his form falls away.
04:35If he can continue on the rate he is and potentially improve further,
04:38he could have a 20-goal striker in Strand-Larsen.
