Tawanda Chirewa has not featured for Wolves’ first team since August 2024, and the winger could benefit from a loan move. However, a Premier League rule means the club may opt to keep him around.
The Zimbabwean attacker joined the club in September 2023, initially joining up with the under-21s. He would later make his debut just a few months later in the FA Cup against Brentford in January.
Just two weeks later, he featured for the first time in the Premier League.
It was an early show of faith from then-manager Gary O’Neil, but he has failed to make his way into the first-team setup ever since.
Game time is a must for Tawanda Chirewa’s development, and he was sent on loan to Derby last season, but that move was ended early in January, and he would then go on loan to Huddersfield for the rest of the campaign.
James Collins believes Chirewa is ready for first-team football, but it remains to be seen whether Rob Edwards will trust him.
Either way, if Edwards does not opt to use him, he may have to stick around no matter what.
Tawanda Chirewa is currently one of Wolves’ homegrown players
Premier League rules dictate that clubs must have a limit of 17 foreign players in their squad, with a further eight slots open for homegrown talent.
Wolves were only able to name a 23-man squad, two short of the maximum allowance due to the club falling short of two homegrown options.
Chirewa was included as one of the Old Gold’s six homegrown players.
Unfortunately for the forward, this may prevent the club sanctioning a much-needed loan move for him in January.
Unless Wolves sign a couple more players who satisfy the quota, Chirewa is likely to remain at the club for the rest of the season.
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Tawanda Chirewa should be given a chance
With a loan move unlikely due to the homegrown rule, Rob Edwards should at least give Chirewa a chance to prove his worth.
He is a part of the squad, and Wolves have been lacking quality in the wide areas this season. The youth coaches believe he is ready, and it could be wise to trust their judgement.
Edwards is not afraid to give youth a chance, and that could be good news for Chirewa and other academy prospects such as Mateus Mane.
Time will tell how Chirewa develops, but if he is not given a proper shot, how are Wolves going to know whether he can make a difference?