Former Wolves midfielder Dave Edwards believes the team look a lot more effective when Sasa Kalajdzic is on the pitch – but he wouldn’t start him just yet if he was Gary O’Neil.
The Austrian has not yet started for Wolves in the Premier League this season.
Kalajdzic is still working his way back from the serious knee injury he cruelly picked up on his debut last season.
So far, he’s featured in all four of Wolves’ league games, coming off the bench each time.
He did start the Carabao Cup game against Blackpool, though.
Wolves have to be careful with Kalajdzic given the serious nature of the injury he just came back from.
But he’s looked effective when he’s been out there, and Edwards reckons Wolves are better for having him on the field.
Dave Edwards praises Sasa Kalajdzic… but he says he wouldn’t start him yet
Kalajdzic has come in for praise from Edwards in his latest Express & Star column.
In the eyes of the former Molineux midfielder, the 26-year-old makes Wolves a better team.
That said, Edwards would not start him regularly just yet, given his effectiveness off the bench and his current level of fitness.
He said: “Wolves look more effective in front of goal when Sasa Kalajdzic is on the pitch, which is a dilemma for O’Neil.
“I personally would not start him. I think at the moment he is an excellent impact player, but they definitely change how they play when he comes on.
“The confusion he causes defenders – we saw it at Everton and again against Palace. They are so worried about getting close to him, that it brings other players in and that showed for Matheus Cunha’s goal.”
Kalajdzic should be starting for Wolves when his fitness is up to scratch
Edwards has a point – Kalajdzic has looked great coming off the bench and gives opposition defenders a whole different headache.
Obviously he has now scored two goals coming off the bench, which may suggest this is the right role for him at present.
But there is also an argument for Wolves starting Kalajdzic if he is fully fit.
The Austrian looks such a handful, so why not get him in for the start of games?
Wolves have some really good crossers of the ball such as Pedro Neto, Matt Doherty, Pablo Sarabia, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Hugo Bueno.
Perhaps there are more goals to be scored with Kalajdzic on the pitch from the beginning.
But of course, that would probably mean Fabio Silva and/or Matheus Cunha dropping out of the side, and one wonders if O’Neil would be willing to try that.