Jhon Arias and Marshall Munetsi linked with January Wolves exit, one should go

Wolves go into the January transfer window in a uniquely unfavourable position, and Marshall Munetsi and Jhon Arias are being eyed for the plucking.

Given Wolves’ position as favourites for relegation from the Premier League, the opening of the market poses a dilemma.

Look to strengthen with the hopes of mounting another great escape or prepare for the mass exodus that will occur should the Old Gold go down.

If it’s the latter, then Wolves will surely be considering two recent reports of interest in players not long at Molineux. Arias has been contacted by Flamengo for a Brazil return, while several French sides are interested in a move for Munetsi.

But who should Wolves actually sell?

Munetsi and Arias for Wolves this season 👀

One has to go, who are you selling in January?

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A clear choice for Rob Edwards between Jhon Arias and Marshall Munetsi

Both Arias and Munetsi could very well stay at Wolves for the rest of the season, but they might actually be better off replacing one of them.

Neither has had long to show their worth at Wolves. Arias joined in the summer, and Munetsi arrived mid-way through last season.

Maybe it’s unfair then, to judge their careers so soon, but harsh decisions will have to be made at Molineux in the coming months.

On a purely output-based assessment, Munetsi has been far better than his Colombian teammate. A favourite of Vitor Pereira’s, the Zimbabwe midfielder got a fine run of games in the early parts of the season.

But they are neck-and-neck in minutes played this season, so Arias’ zero goal involvements compared to Munetsi’s three is the first reason why the more recent arrival should be the one to go.

Secondly, the level Munetsi has reached at Wolves — however sporadically — suggests he can be a valuable asset long-term. Arias just hasn’t acclimatised to English football in the same way.

• READ MORE: Wolves fans think the next step with Wolves attacker Jhon Arias has now become obvious

The argument against Wolves selling both

While Arias is the preferred option to sell, it’s not like Munetsi is untouchable. He has had his ups and downs at Wolves and seems less integral to Rob Edwards’ side than he was to Pereira’s.

But losing both might be a bigger risk than Wolves can afford to take. They are two senior members of the squad, and they are some of the more physical players ahead of the defensive line.

Both Munetsi and Arias are very good pressers who can win possession in the opposition half, and that energy can lift the pressure of Wolves.

Kaka’s verdict on Jhon Arias at the Club World Club seems totally wide of the mark right now 😲

Can you see Arias ever coming good for Wolves?!

“[Arias is] an extremely dangerous player who can decide a match at any moment.”

– Kaka, speaking at the Club World Cup (via BBC Sport)

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The obvious decision here seems to be to cash in on Arias and chalk it down to a failed experiment. Even if he stays past January, unless Wolves stay in the top flight, he’s likely to go anyway.