Wolves are gearing up for 2024/25 – and it is now that time of year for everyone to make their predictions for the new campaign.
Wolves are in decent shape heading into the new season – certainly, there is much less stress this time around compared to last year.
Gary O’Neil has had a good pre-season with the players, and the three new faces have looked promising so far. That said, some are starting to grow a little concerned by how quiet Wolves have been recently.
Wolves have a tough start which could lead to early pressure.
A few pundits have predicted that Wolves could struggle. Paul Merson believes Wolves will not build on their 14th-placed finish from last season, while Stephen Warnock boldly thinks a relegation battle could be on the horizon.
Some people are also making predictions about Wolves players – and Lee Naylor has shared who he thinks could be Wanderers’ best performer this term.
Lee Naylor predicts Joao Gomes will be Wolves’ best player in 2024/25
Last term, Mario Lemina was named Supporters’ Player of the Season, after a string of amazing performances for Wolves in what was a difficult campaign for him personally.
Lemina was inspirational, and will no doubt be hugely influential once again this term.
He narrowly beat Matheus Cunha, who was a breath of fresh air for Wolves as he chipped in with 22 goal involvements.
Nelson Semedo was named Players’ Player of the Season, after enjoying his best campaign for Wolves to date.
Those three could all be big players again for Wolves this season. But for former Old Gold full-back Naylor, Joao Gomes could be the key man.
He said on the Wolves Weekly podcast: “I just think he’s improved every game from the start until now. His growth has been massive. Hopefully, he continues that. I can just see him being a top, top player. He is now.”
Naylor is realistic about Gomes. He does not feel as though the Brazilian will still be at Molineux for years to come given his high potential.
“His ceiling is higher than ours, unfortunately. I think he will go on from us, it’s just a matter of time. I just think he’ll be out Player of the Season.”
A great shout from Naylor
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There is every chance that Gomes could end up being Wolves’ Player of the Season next year, assuming he is not sold in January.
The man known as The Pitbull has made a fantastic impression since coming to English football in January 2023 from Flamengo for £15 million, and is already one of the best ball-winners in the entire Premier League.
He was brilliant alongside Lemina last term for Wolves and you do get the sense that he will step things up even more in his second full season at the club.
He knows the English game now and knows exactly what O’Neil – whom he respects massively – wants from him.
Naylor is probably right regarding his views about the player’s future as well, sadly. Gomes has already had plenty of transfer interest, and it does seems like he’ll be one of those players who does not stick around for too long – surely, a top Champions League club will be in for him before long.