Wolves fans are hoping to see several new faces this summer.
Something that was a constant problem for Wanderers in 2021/22 was the inability to score goals and be ruthless in the final third.
Wolves finished the campaign with a tally of 38 goals scored in the Premier League – only the relegated clubs managed fewer.
It’s very possible Bruno Lage could have a radically different pool of attacking options ahead of 2022/23.
Here’s what the club should do with each of the current forwards.
Raul Jimenez – KEEP
There has been some talk about the potential for Jimenez to leave.
Apparently the club will listen to offers for the striker, and Real Mallorca are keen.
Wolves should not be tempted to offload him though. He may have only scored six goals in 2021/22, but he was likely always going to find things tough coming back from that awful head injury.
Potentially he may never recapture his pre-injury form. But Jimenez is surely still worth keeping around, as his link-up play remains pretty good.
He is one of the leaders in the dressing room, and a lot of players look up to and respect him.
Pedro Neto – KEEP
Neto started to show flashes of his old self towards the end of the season.
Potentially, he could help Wolves find their mojo next season.
He’ll have had the whole summer to rest up and recover, and he could really hit the ground running for Wolves in 2022/23.
Daniel Podence – KEEP
Podence really showed in 2021/22 what an important player he has become for Wolves.
The diminutive star was often the man to make things happen for Wanderers, and his absence through injury towards the end of the season badly affected the team, and may well have cost Wolves a couple of places in the league table.
Fabio Silva – LOAN
Silva showed signs of development in 2021/22, but ultimately he finished the season without any goals to his name.
We have seen what a good loan spell can do for a player with Morgan Gibbs-White.
It feels like £80,000-a-week star Silva needs to just leave Molineux temporarily so he can go play regularly, score a few goals and then return a much more confident and mature individual.
Hwang Hee-chan – KEEP
Hwang really had an awful second half of the season.
Fans have struggled to understand the reasons behind his alarming dip, and many are actually now calling for him to be sold in the same window the club will sign him permanently.
But Hwang should get the benefit of the doubt.
He was superb in his first few months at the club, and at one stage he was statistically the most clinical player in the league.
He should be given a chance to turn things around, and then the situation should be revisited in January.
Francisco Trincao – SEND BACK
Loanee Trincao blew hot and cold throughout 2021/22, but he probably hasn’t done enough to warrant a permanent swoop from Wolves.
Reports are becoming more frequent now that Wolves don’t want to exercise their buy option, and it’s probably just about the right call.
Trincao undoubtedly has talent.
But he needed a few more good performances than he ultimately turned in.
Adama Traore – SELL
We have heard it said a few times now that Traore was offered a good new contract by Wolves officials.
He rejected the offer. Given the player only has a year left, he should be sold this window.
It is the last chance for Wolves to get decent money for him.
Tottenham Hotspur are supposedly back in for him, and surely there will eventually be other clubs looking to come in for the unique star this summer.
Chiquinho – KEEP
Wolves signed Chiquinho in January for £3 million from Estoril and no one really batted an eyelid.
Fast-forward a few months, and he’s now one of the most exciting talents at the club.
Chiquinho showed with his two assists against Chelsea, and his performance against Manchester City, that he can have a part to play for Bruno Lage next term.
There has been some talk about Wolves sending him out on loan. That would be a disappointment given his fearlessness and unpredictability.
Chem Campbell – LOAN
Campbell was handed his Premier League debut last month in the game against Newcastle United.
Perhaps the intention from Lage was to give him the minutes so that he can use the experience as motivation.
There are many forward options at Wolves right now.
It feels like Campbell needs to get out and experience senior football since he is yet to do that.
He’s been fantastic for the U23s, surely it’s the next logical step for him in his development.