Wolves vs Chelsea: Last Chance to Spot Transfer Needs Before Deadline
As the transfer deadline looms, Wolverhampton Wanderers remain optimistic about bolstering their squad before Friday's cut-off. While manager Gary O'Neil has identified key areas for improvement, Sunday's clash with Chelsea offers a final opportunity for fans and observers alike to assess the team's current shortcomings.
The club's pursuit of Dara O'Shea has reportedly stalled, with the defender set to join Ipswich Town. Wolves have, however, moved on from this pursuit and are now prioritising a winger to fill the void left by the £54 million departure of Pedro Neto to Chelsea earlier this month. 19-year-old Burnley winger Luca Koleosho has emerged as a potential target, attracting interest from the Molineux outfit.
Wolves' earlier interest in Brentford's Yoane Wissa was rejected, making the younger and potentially more cost-effective Koleosho a more attractive option. The club's preference for young, high-potential players with resale value aligns well with the Burnley winger's profile. Interestingly, the Clarets are due to visit Molineux in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, providing another opportunity for Wolves to assess Koleosho's capabilities.
However, before any new signings can be made, focus shifts to Sunday's encounter with Chelsea. This match will mark Neto's return to Molineux following his recent transfer to Stamford Bridge. Wolves, who achieved a double over the Blues last season, including a memorable 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge where Matheus Cunha netted a hat-trick, will be confident of securing another positive result against a Chelsea side in a period of transition, as O'Neil described them.
Since Wolves' return to the Premier League in 2018, they have enjoyed a strong head-to-head record against Chelsea, winning three of the 12 meetings. This recent dominance, coupled with Chelsea's current state of flux, gives Wolves a further reason to be optimistic about their prospects on Sunday. The match will provide an insightful preview of the team's strengths and weaknesses ahead of the transfer window's closure, offering a final chance to gauge what needs to be addressed before the deadline passes.
