One Wolves player reckons he has developed into a more ‘all-round player’ in recent times, but there is a chance Gary O’Neil could sanction his exit.
Wolves have just over a week now until they kick off their new Premier League campaign.
It is the Community Shield this weekend, and then the weekend after Wanderers have their first Premier League fixture against Arsenal.
Preparations leading into that game have been very good.
Wolves have been to Marbella and Miami, and had some good results and intense training sessions.
Before that game with Arsenal there could well be a few incoming and outgoings, and it will be interesting to see what happens with Luke Cundle, a player who believes has developed one side of his game in particular.
Luke Cundle insists he has now become ‘a more all-round player’ after recent loan spells away from Wolves
Last season, Cundle went out on loan to Plymouth Argyle in the Championship.
He enjoyed his time there and was a regular in the starting XI under Steven Schumacher.
Cundle then moved to Stoke City for the second half of the 2023/24 campaign, with Schumacher becoming Potters manager in December 2023.
That was another productive spell for Cundle.
Across those two clubs last season he made 43 appearances for a total of 2433 minutes on the pitch, and that level of involvement has really helped him to develop. For Cundle, the defensive side of his game has really improved and he is now a bit more complete.
He told Liam Keen recently, with the audio being published by Wolves via their official website: “I think I’ve learned different aspects of my game. Especially the defensive side. The Championship is quite tough and quite demanding on you physically, playing sometimes three games a week.
“It’s difficult mentally as well as physically. I think I’ve learned the defensive side a lot better, I’ve always been quite good on the ball but I’m more of an all-round player now.”
Earlier this week, Cundle was reported to be set to leave Molineux. Earlier this year, it was suggested that Wolves were considering cashing in on Cundle for around £2 million.
Stoke could make a fresh move to sign him, as well as Ki-Jana Hoever.
Cundle exit feels likely
It is great to hear that Cundle feels his game has become more balanced and that the defensive side has improved.
He has always been really good on the ball, regularly standing out for Wolves’ U21s and showing good technical quality. He has previously been branded ‘Phil Foden-esque’ by U21s manager James Collins.
But it is important for midfielders in this day and age to be good defensively as well, and it sounds like Cundle’s loan moves served him well last term.
Regarding his future, it would be a surprise to see him sticking around at Wolves this summer.
As talented as he is, the competition is so tough right now in midfield, with Mario Lemina and Joao Gomes the go-to picks for O’Neil.
It may well be that he gets another loan this season, or Wolves may even seek to sell since he has just two years left on his contract.