Wolves’ recent transfer window once again saw some of their best stars inadequately replaced – and it’s led to a summer signing being told he ‘needs to show more’.
Wolves recouped almost £100million for star duo Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri in the summer transfer window, with the pair heading to Manchester United and Manchester City respectively.
That was spent on a number of European-based recruits, most of whom have failed to make an impact at Molineux this season in the Premier League.
And one star in particular in Fer Lopez has been told to make the most of Vitor Pereira’s sacking by forcing his way into the first-team.
Fer Lopez ‘hasn’t set the world alight’ for Wolves since joining in the summer
Fer Lopez failed to feature in the match day squad against Chelsea, seeing a real lack of creativity in the Wolves team that was managed by caretaker boss James Collins.
A 3-0 loss should precede Rob Edwards’ arrival, with the former Wales international looking likely to be appointed in the coming days.
And Express and Star writer Liam Keen believes that it should offer Lopez the chance to finally get his Molineux career underway, labelling his snub as a ‘damning indictment’.
Keen said on the E&S Wolves Podcast: “Really, the damning indictment of that team selection was £19.5million Fer Lopez, a summer signing, left out of the squad altogether.
“He’s a player that under the new gaffer and direction, I hope we see a bit more from.
“Not just in terms of actually playing him, because he hasn’t played a lot, but he needs to show a bit more as well.
“It’s not just that he’s not getting opportunities, when he’s been playing he hasn’t exactly set the world alight either.
“There’s got to be a little bit of give and take from both sides. I really hope we see more from him.”
Lopez’s signing was a risky one given he was all but the direct replacement for Matheus Cunha, though he does have potential – which needs unlocking, and fast.
Rob Edwards’ style may issue Fer Lopez with a fresh start at Wolves
Rob Edwards successfully utilised Ross Barkley in his Luton Town side, and he’s got a more tactically adept squad to work with at Wolves once he joins.
Surrounded by physical players such as Joao Gomes, Andre, Jorgen Strand Larsen and Tolu Arokodare, there should ideally be someone in the hole to show composure, talent and skill similar to the Scouse native.
Lopez is the perfect man for that role, though he’s just not found his rhythm yet. The Spaniard has only featured in 117 minutes of Premier League football, but he has registered one assist in a 3-1 defeat to Leeds.
It’s the cameos against Everton, Newcastle and Sunderland where he’s failed to grab anything and having been snubbed by Pereira when needing a winner against Burnley and Brighton, it could be Edwards that finally gives Lopez his flowers.