Wolves enjoyed another outstanding season in the Premier League last time around.
The demands of the Europa League have caused many English teams to crumble in past campaigns, but Wolves qualified for the quarter-finals, where they lost 1-0 to Sevilla.
That is despite the fact that match kicked off more than a full year after their European adventure began in the qualifying rounds.
In order to keep on improving, however, they need to continue to strengthen and we’ve picked out three key areas for Nuno Espirito Santo this summer.
Right wing-back
It goes without saying that Matt Doherty’s departure to join Tottenham leaves Santo in search of a new right wing-back.
Doherty has been a major part of Wolves’ journey from the Championship to the Europa League.
Reported (Telegraph) interest in Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles is understandable on that score, although his man of the match performance in the Community Shield may put the blockers on that.
Defensive stability is a big factor in Wolves’ rise. Santo needs a quality defender who he can get in and school in his meticulously drilled five-man backline.
Central defence
Romain Saiss has done the job on the left of the central defensive three for Wolves, but an upgrade would be welcome.
Leander Dendoncker can play there too, but after Morgan Gibbs-White’s loan move to Swansea, it is likely he will be needed as central midfield cover.
With first choice left wing-back Jonny ruled out for a number of months too, it’s important Nuno can rely on the stability he craves so much at the back.
Signing a central defender may not be as exciting as an attacking addition but it is just as crucial.
Striking cover
Raul Jimenez is Wolves’s main man but he needs someone to share the burden with up front.
This is going to be a hectic season and Jimenez will need a rest at times.
It also wouldn’t do any harm to have an alternative striking threat off the bench to chase matches which are going against Wolves.
As Tottenham and other sides have found down the years, it’s not easy to buy a backup striker when the top man is so established.
That’s a challenge Wolves will need to navigate but their business has been spot on a lot of the time under Nuno. They need to use the market well again, to bolster a squad which looks a little thin right now.
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