Many Wolves fans were pretty happy to see the back of 2021/22 after the final whistle blew at Anfield a couple of weeks ago.
Wanderers limped to the finish line, failing to win any of their last seven matches.
It’s left a bitter taste, and fans are hoping for a big summer.
There will likely be a few new faces through the door, and it’s exciting to think about how the team could look on the opening day of 2022/23.
There will, of course, be lots of the same faces in the first starting XI, and some could potentially be looking at having a breakthrough season.
Max Kilman was the biggest breakthrough star at Wolves last term, and here are three players at Molineux who might follow the defender’s example next season…
3 players who could have breakthrough seasons for Wolves in 2022/23
Toti Gomes
Perhaps another central defender will emerge for Wolves next season.
Toti Gomes was recalled by Wolves from his loan spell with Grasshopper in January, but few people really expected him to get any minutes.
Dion Sanderson was also recalled, and it was he that some people felt would replace Romain Saiss, if Lage was going to put his faith in any young player.
But Toti was the surprise deputy against Southampton. And the star did really well, and played the next two games against Brentford and Norwich City in the FA Cup.
Toti then had to be patient for his next chance, which came against Norwich in the Premier League in the final home game of the season. And he then played the following week against Liverpool, doing well in both matches.
Wolves are in the market for a new central defender this summer.
But it’s very possible Toti could see more first-team minutes in 2022/23. He has certainly looked the part so far.
Chiquinho
Chiquinho’s £3 million arrival at Wolves in January really went under the radar.
Fans didn’t really kick up too much of a fuss, as many had wanted to see a big name or two come in.
But Chiquinho looks a real livewire, and has impressed every time he has taken to the field for the first-team.
He really announced his arrival with his cameo against Chelsea when he helped himself to two assists.
He then followed that up with a really positive display against Manchester City as a wing-back.
Chiquinho plays without fear, and has an exciting unpredictability about him – a bit like Adama Traore.
He’s had a taste of the Premier League, and he could very well become a breakthrough star for Wolves in 2022/23 if he’s given the chance to play.
Morgan Gibbs-White
This is a big ‘if’, as there is already speculation about Morgan Gibbs-White potentially leaving Molineux.
But if Wolves can convince him to stay, then the team potentially stands to benefit immensely.
Gibbs-White has just finished a fantastic loan spell with Sheffield United that saw him score 12 goals and make 10 assists. He then won their Player of the Season award.
His time at Bramall lane has done wonders for his game, and his confidence.
Gibbs-White has actually already made 86 appearances for Wolves’ first-team, but arguably he has not yet ‘arrived’ for the club.
But that’s because he’s never really had a consistent run in the team as a starter.
If Lage puts his faith in Gibbs-White in 2022/23, then there’s a good chance he’ll be rewarded.
Gibbs-White’s invaluable stint with the Blades really does set him up nicely, and he could become Wolves’ Kilman of 2022/23.