It has been a long and gruelling season for Wolves – and one player has been very heavily involved so far.
There are just nine games left to play now for Wolves in the Premier League.
Before the international break Wanderers opened up a nine-point gap down to the relegation zone, and the club are in a healthy position.
The job isn’t quite done yet. But Wolves getting results against West Ham United and then Ipswich Town will as good as seal safety for next season.
It’s just about getting over the line now, and hopefully the players can continue to give their all under Vitor Pereira.
It would be nice to get to a point where Pereira can actually rest some of his players and look at some of those on the fringes.
And one such player who might be needing a rest soon is Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Rayan Ait-Nouri has played the most minutes for Wolves
It may come as a slight surprise to some that Rayan Ait-Nouri has actually played the most minutes for Wolves this season.
The Algerian has been a mainstay in the side, both under Gary O’Neil and Pereira.
Thus far, he’s clocked up 2673 minutes – which puts him at the top of the Wolves squad for minutes played this season. Joao Gomes is next with 2578.
| Most minutes played at Wolves 2024/25 |
| 1. Rayan Ait-Nouri – 2673 |
| 2. Joao Gomes – 2578 |
| 3. Matheus Cunha – 2376 |
| 4. Nelson Semedo – 2333 |
| 5. Jorgen Strand Larsen – 2297 |
Ait-Nouri – who’s apparently the subject of a transfer bid from Tottenham Hotspur – has made 32 matchday squads, and made 32 appearances for Wolves across all competitions so far.
The only games he has not played in for Wolves this season were the Premier League game with Leicester City after he got sent off against Ipswich, and the Carabao Cup third round clash with Brighton.
Impressive from Ait-Nouri, but Wolves have taken a risk
It’s interesting to see Ait-Nouri’s name at the top of the minutes played chart so far for Wolves.
It’s indicative of how good a player he is, but also how durable he has become.
Around a year ago, it was reported that Ait-Nouri had been doing ‘extra conditioning work’ in the early weeks of the 2023/24 season.
Clearly since then he has kept himself in great condition and injury-free, in what is a big boost for Wolves.
| Ait-Nouri for Wolves in 23/24 | Ait-Nouri for Wolves in 24/25 (so far, nine games left to play) |
| Appearances – 38 | Appearances – 32 |
| Minutes played – 2669 | Minutes played – 2673 |
He has already surpassed the minutes he played in the whole of last season for Wolves (2669), which is impressive considering there are still nine games left to play.
The wing-back position is very demanding, with players required to get up and down. So for Ait-Nouri to be Wolves’ most involved player of the season so far is great to see.
Wolves took a risk though by letting Hugo Bueno leave on loan, so the club have needed Ait-Nouri to stay fit. Hopefully, there will be chances soon for him to rest up to avoid any potential injuries.