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Walter Zenga says Wolves now have enough strength in depth to play two different XIs in the same week

New Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Walter Zenga (REUTERS)
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Wolves did some of the most high-profile transfer business in the Championship this summer, bringing in 13 new players.

New Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Walter Zenga

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Walter Zenga has told BBC WM that the club’s transfer business this summer was so good that he can now field two different competitive Championship starting XIs.

Wolves were one of the most active Championship clubs in the summer transfer market, bringing in 13 new players including some high-profile arrivals.

The injection of investment from the new owners enabled them to pull of some eye-catching deals, such as the signing of Monaco midfielder Ivan Cavaleiro, Angers star Romain Saiss, and Benfica pair Hélder Costa and João Teixeira.

New Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Walter Zenga

Although he also let numerous senior players leave Molineux either permanently on loan, the general consensus is that Zenga has improved both the starting XI and the squad as a whole with his acquisitions.

the Italian himself agrees with that, and believes that he has now engineered things so that he does not have to fear needing to rotate his side throughout the hectic Championship window as he feels he can field two entirely different but equally competitive XIs.

Zenga told BBC WM: “I can play one team on Tuesday and one on Saturday. It’s a long, competitive season. It is not just the seven games we have coming up in the space of 22 days. It is also the games we have after that. From now to January it could be 25, 26 or 27. We need to be organised in the right way.

New Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Walter Zenga

“In the long term, playing with the same XI can bring problems. It depends on injuries and international calls. My philosophy is to involve everyone in the squad. It keeps everyone fresh with a new mentality.

“If a coach makes a lot of changes and he wins the game, then it is the right call. If the result is not good, then he gets asked ‘why didn’t he play the same team?'”

Zenga has had the opportunity to assess his new, completed squad over the last few days, and with the luxury of competition for every spot on the pitch he can now select his side for the home clash with Burton Albion this weekend.

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