Despite recent form, Jorgen Strand Larsen and Joao Gomes are two Wolves players who have quality in spades.
As Wolves prepare to mount a survival challenge after the international break, most at Molineux will be solely focused on improving performances and gaining ground in the race to stay in the Premier League.
Edwards has plenty of issues to address at Wolves before his first game in charge.
But for some, the job is a bit different. There needs to be a plan in place for what a relegation scenario looks like.
Ben Jacobs has shared what he’s heard about Wolves contingencies if Edwards’ bid for survival doesn’t come good.
Wolves’ stance on Jorgen Strand Larsen and Joao Gomes
As is always the case with teams heading for the drop, the club have to figure out who will stay to fight for repromotion, and who might not be willing to spend a season in the Championship.
On the two Wolves stars, Jacobs reveals on The United Stand: “A lot of players, I think, in Wolves have dispensation to leave if they go down. Not necessarily formal, but Wolves have always been quite fair to their players and obviously some of them would be on big wages for the Championship anyway.
“So I think the expectation within Wolves even though it may be begrudging sales, is that if they go down, Joao Gomes in the summer and Jorgen Strand Larsen will both be available on the market.”
It was mere months ago that Strand Larsen was attracting substantial bids from Newcastle. Despite his disappointing performances this season, he’s a striker with Premier League quality, and will be the first to be snapped up should Wolves go down.
The same can be said for the Brazilian. Gomes is being monitored by Manchester United, who will be crossing their fingers for a relegation, which could significantly drop the price they would have to pay for his services.
Joao Gomes has never hidden his love for the Wolves fans
The other Wolves players who could be offloaded
We’re all holding out hope for a resurgence similar to last season’s, but if Edwards can’t replicate Vitor Pereira’s feat, Gomes and Strand Larsen aren’t the only ones likely to jump ship.
Wolves would be favourites for repromotion, so many of the younger stars should be kept at Molineux for a quick return to the top flight.
- READ MORE: Rob Edwards commended over Wolves move as Tim Sherwood gives Middlesbrough fans reality check
But some more experienced, more accomplished stars won’t have such patience.
The likes of Andre, Hwang Hee-chan, Toti Gomes and Emmanuel Agbadou are at later points in their careers, and could see this as a reason to explore pastures new.
Relegation is a real possibility, and if it happens you can expect a mass exodus again this summer. But for now, we’re focusing on the games in front of Wolves. With 27 to go, a lot can happen.