Wolves found themselves in a predicament this summer as they failed to secure a new centre-back following Max Kilman’s departure to West Ham for a hefty fee of £40 million. The decision not to adequately replace Kilman seemed to haunt Wolves as injuries and defensive frailties slowly crept into their game. Despite facing criticism for this oversight, it may have turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the club as they potentially avoided signing a player who may not have been the answer to their defensive woes.
One of the missed opportunities was Dara O’Shea, who was a target for Wolves but ended up signing for Ipswich Town due to the club’s reluctance to meet the asking price of £15 million. O’Shea’s performance following his move has been under scrutiny by the media, particularly highlighting his lack of pace and vulnerabilities in games. While acquiring O’Shea could have added depth to the squad, his weaknesses may have only exacerbated Wolves’ defensive struggles rather than solving them.
The absence of pace and athleticism in Wolves’ defense, particularly with the loss of Yerson Mosquera to a season-ending injury, has been glaringly apparent. With limited options in the centre-back position consisting of Craig Dawson, Toti, and Santi Bueno as the only fit senior players, the need for a high-quality, Premier League-proven defender has become more evident. Despite the missed opportunity in signing O’Shea, it seems that investing in a player with the necessary physical attributes is crucial for Wolves to shore up their defense and address their defensive deficiencies effectively.
