Many Wolves fans are starting to worry about the club’s fate in 2022/23.
Wanderers finished last term in dreadful form, and the hope was that there would be a big response in the transfer market.
So far, all that’s happened is that a number of players have departed.
John Ruddy, Fernando Marcal and Romain Saiss have all left, and some youngsters have headed out on loan.
Wolves are yet to make a single new addition. Hwang Hee-chan is technically a new permanent signing, but fans will not accept that as ‘activity’.
MORE WOLVES STORIES
One of the areas of the team fans most want to see a new face in is midfield.
It was thought Joao Palhinha was going to be joining. But Wolves declined to do the deal, with Fulham coming in to sign him instead.
Matheus Nunes has also been strongly linked, but reports this morning have suggested Chelsea could now swoop for the 23-year-old.
It is looking as though new faces might be unlikely, and that could mean Bruno Lage has no choice but to count on Luke Cundle next season.
The talented youngster made his Premier League debut in 2021/22.
He was handed a few opportunities to shine, and he impressed on his first start against Tottenham Hotspur in February especially.
Realistically, the logical next step for Cundle would be to go out on loan to experience regular football at senior level.
But with midfield additions looking unlikely, that’s an option that may now be taken off the table.
Lage may need to hang on to Luke Cundle
At this rate, Lage can’t really afford Cundle to be going out on loan.
Ideally, the teenager – whom U23s boss James Collins said has ‘an outstanding football brain’ – would be able to head out and build his experience.
But with so few midfield options in the first-team, it would be a big risk to allow him to depart.
And given Joao Moutinho’s advancing years, it would be foolish to press ahead with just three players.
Hopefully, Wolves are eventually able to bring one or two new faces in, which would then allow Cundle to head out and get some valuable minutes elsewhere.
If the club fail to make any midfield additions, there is simply no way Cundle can be allowed to depart.