Why Wolves need to alter striker strategy if they gain promotion

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Wolverhampton Wanderers are on fire right now, but they still need another top striker if they want to succeed following a possible promotion.

Wolves have by far the strongest squad in the Championship, and even if they gain promotion to the Premier League they would still have a solid top-flight collection of players. With that being said, there need to be some alterations when it comes to their strikers as they move closer towards the Promised Land.

When you look through the majority of the club’s results in the last few months, you will see they have been able to ease to victory on more than one occasion. That is mainly down to just how tight they are as a unit but, above that, there are a few frightening statistics which could lead to change as we look ahead to the summer transfer window.

Diogo Jota and Leo Bonatini are the club’s two top goal-scorers in the Championship with 12 goals apiece, meanwhile, Ivan Cavaliero is next in line down in third. The only legitimate striker in that collection is Leo Bonatini, and he is only at the club on loan.

Jota, who is more of an attacking midfielder, will be making his move permanent following the end of the season but if Wolves gain promotion, they cannot spend their time relying on someone in his position to continually come up with the goods.

Cavaleiro is also a midfielder with the top ten list being finished off by the following positions: defender, midfielder, midfielder, defender, defender, defender, midfielder.

Wolves can get away with that kind of thing in the Championship, where they are able to showcase their flair more freely. But in the Premier League, they will be caught out with that kind of mentality. Things are much more physical and fans have seen the likes of Bonatini being bullied off the ball on more than one occasion, and if he does decide to stay next season, that will only continue.

The only other realistic option to lead the line is Benik Afobe who is also on loan, and it has been evident during his time with Bournemouth that he struggles to replicate his successes in the lower leagues.

Turning to proven Premier League striking talent is going to be the necessary way forward to Wolves and, while that may not fit with their current strategy, it is something Wolves will have to consider if they want a sustainable future in the big time.