Wolves host Brentford on Saturday afternoon, and former Wolves defender Nathan Collins is sure to play.
The Irishman has been an excellent addition for the Bees ever since Wolves sold him for £23 million back in 2023. And those performances for the London side earned him links to Champions League clubs during the summer.
If Collins does end up making a big money move away from Brentford, Wolves will receive income from a sell-on clause.
But he could have been an important player for the Old Gold instead. The Wanderers’ transfer policy over the last few years had led them to being bottom of the Premier League, with relegation looking all too likely.
While Collins was not a star man at Molineux at the time, the way the club viewed him internally but still sold him is the pinnacle of why the club are struggling now.
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Wolves sold Nathan Collins despite believing he was a quality player
It is becoming far too frequent an experience when Wolves sell a player, and they go on to become a star elsewhere.
Nathan Collins certainly joins that list. Ever since leaving Wolves, the central defender has become the captain of the Republic of Ireland and most recently was named Brentford’s captain.
That sort of leader at the back is exactly what Wolves desperately need, but the transfer policy instilled by Fosun means that was never allowed to come to fruition.
Back in 2023, information released by the Athletic confirmed that, it says, “Despite a difficult first season at Molineux, senior figures at Wolves continued to speak highly of his potential and expected him to fight for his place.”
Additionally, the article also stated, “There remains a belief at Wolves that Collins has the potential to be a Premier League star.”
So while they had full belief that the Irishman could become a top-level Premier League player, they still went on to sell him because “they did not feel able to turn down £23 million — a £3m profit in just over a year.”
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Rather than building a team that could move up the league table, the ownership was simply looking to recoup money.
And that is simply why Wolves have found themselves in the position they are in. It always seems to be about offloading their best potential players or top stars and replacing them with lower-quality options in the hope of replicating the success of their predecessors.
It was clear when Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri were sold too, with their replacements not coming close to their standards.
It has been a long-running issue at Molineux, and it did not start with Nathan Collins, but with the defender set to captain the Bees in Wolverhampton on Saturday, it has become particularly topical.
There also seems to be little love lost for Collins, despite it being the club pushing him out. In an FA Cup fixture in 2024, the Wanderers supporters booed their former defender.
Nathan Collins loves to play against his former club Wolves
Ever since leaving Wolves, the fixture against them appears to be one the defender looks forward to.
Across six games in all competitions, the centre-back has three goal involvements. These include two goals and an assist.
However, the Old Gold will find some solace that the Irishman will not inflict pain this weekend. While the Bees have become known for their long throws, Collins has yet to score a goal.
Additionally, Brentford are also the only team yet to score from a corner in the Premier League this season.
It is at least something to cling onto.
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