Liam Duckstein
Wolves’ Transfer Strategy Under Scrutiny
Wolves’ technical director Matt Jackson has admitted the club got their summer transfer business “wrong” as the team sits bottom of the Premier League with just two points. The side has not won in the top flight since April and is currently on an eight-game losing streak, matching a club record set in 1981-82.
The summer saw key players Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri sold to Manchester United and Manchester City for a combined £92.5m, while captain Nelson Semedo left on a free transfer. In their place, Wolves signed six players—Fer Lopez, Jhon Arias, Tolu Arokodare, David Moller Wolfe, Jackson Tchatchoua, and Ladislav Krejci—none of whom had Premier League experience.
The players who were brought in were brought in for the right reasons, but when you have a return of two points at this stage you have to say it’s wrong because whatever starting XI we have put out has not been good enough.
— Matt Jackson, Wolves Technical Director
Jackson remains optimistic about the new signings’ potential but acknowledges the need for immediate results. Jorgen Strand Larsen, who made his loan move permanent for £23m after scoring 14 times last season, has managed just one league goal this term.
Shi Acknowledges Fan Frustration
Executive chairman Jeff Shi has also reflected on the summer transfers, suggesting the club may have sold too many key players in one window. “You can see the squad and compare it to last season, maybe we changed 40 or 50% of the key players,” he said. “It’s a task to rebuild a team, but the Premier League is very tough. If you can’t control the tempo and need a longer time to rebuild, the games will punish you.”
Wolves’ winless start is just two matches short of the Premier League record of 17 games set by Sheffield United in 2020-21. The poor form has led to unrest among fans, with supporters’ groups organizing a boycott of the opening 15 minutes of Monday’s 4-1 defeat by Manchester United to protest against Fosun’s ownership.
Shi, who has been the target of supporters’ anger, expressed empathy for their frustrations. “Five or six years ago we were at some heights, the semi-final of the FA Cup and quarter-final in Europe,” he told BBC Radio WM. “When you have reached those heights, fans don’t want to let it go. I feel it myself. When you lose something like that, it’s a tough blow.”
Future Plans and Fan Engagement
Despite the on-field struggles, Shi believes the club is in its best shape off the pitch during his tenure. “It may sound strange, but I think it’s the best time in my 10 years, where we have galvanized a group of people, elite people,” he said. “The chemistry and communication at the moment is maybe the best I have seen.”
Jackson echoed the call for fan engagement, urging supporters to voice their concerns directly. “Our fans are allowed to express their views on Jeff directly to Jeff because he doesn’t duck away from the challenge in the stadium,” he said. “Come and talk to us, express those views. Hold us to account. Protest—we understand, we get it.”
Wolves face an uphill battle, sitting 13 points behind 17th-placed Nottingham Forest. They travel to leaders Arsenal on Saturday, but Shi remains committed to long-term plans with manager Rob Edwards. “No-one can guarantee 100%, but I can say 95% [for] at least two or three years,” Shi said. “It’s a long-term project with Rob.”