Wolves had an eventful deadline day, with four deals completed on the final day of the January transfer window.
All eyes were on incomings on deadline day as Wolves left it late to announce the captures of Nasser Djiga and Marshall Munetsi.
It wasn’t only on the arrivals front that activity unfolded at Compton Park, as two players also departed, seeing rising talents Dexter Lembikisa and Tawanda Chirewa leave on loan.
Both players had returned in January from failed loan spells, with the latter failing to make his presence known at Derby County despite his Premier League breakthrough in 2023/24.
Gary O’Neil showed great faith in Chirewa, leading to the versatile midfielder earning eight Premier League appearances last season amid Wolves’ squad depth struggles.
Some thought Chirewa would stay at Wolves for the 2024/25 calendar, however, a loan exit was sanctioned, seeing the 21-year-old join Derby – a move that didn’t go to plan.
On deadline day, the Zimbabwean returned on loan but this time in League One with Huddersfield Town.
From the Premier League to the Championship to League One, what exactly does the future hold for Chirewa at Wolves?
To get some answers, Molineux News spoke to journalist and Derby County expert Luke Thrower to find out more about Chirewa’s failed loan period in the Championship during the first half of the season.
Q&A on Wolves starlet Tawanda Chirewa after Derby County struggles
How did Tawanda Chirewa perform at Derby?
Thrower:
“Tawanda Chirewa struggled in his time at Derby, rarely given the opportunity to make the impact he, Derby, and Wolves would’ve hoped for.
“The youngster suffered a big injury that stopped him from featuring all that often, then he was unable to force his way back in with short cameo spells from the bench.”
Is a move to Huddersfield Town right for Chirewa?
Thrower:
“I think Chirewa needs a step down to League One, where he can be a regular starter for a team each week. Whether Huddersfield, a team in the hunt for promotion, is the right move, I am unsure.
“The environment could help him grow under the pressure of needing results, but I think regular game time is more important at the moment.”
What are Chirewa’s chances in the Premier League?
Thrower:
“It seems a bit early to make a call on this, to be honest. He showed some signs of having quality but wasn’t able to truly break in at Championship level. It may be a couple of loans or other senior opportunities before he gets his chance.”
Where is Chirewa’s best position and role?
Thrower:
“I think Chirewa’s best role will be centrally, either as a number eight or a number ten. His ball-carrying ability is his best trait as it stands, which could be used to travel up the pitch with more space in the middle rather than hugging the touchline as a winger.”
What system is Chirewa best suited to – could he fit in at Wolves again?
Thrower:
“I’m not totally sure. If he does end up being more of a midfielder, then I think it would be in a 4-3-3 as a number eight or in a 4-2-3-1, but as a number ten.”