The time of year has come for everyone to make their predictions for the upcoming campaign, as the Wolves prepare for 2024–2025. In general, Wolves are in good form going into the new season; there is definitely less stress than there was the last one.
The three newcomers have so far shown promise, and Gary O’Neil has had a solid preseason with the players. Nevertheless, given how quiet Wolves have been lately, some people are beginning to worry a little. Wolves have had a difficult start, which might result in early pressure.
According to several pundits, Wolves might have difficulties. While Stephen Warnock boldly predicts a relegation battle could be imminent, Paul Merson feels Wolves will not improve on their 14th-place result from the previous campaign.
Some people are also making predictions about Wolves players – and Lee Naylor has shared who he thinks could be Wanderers’ best performer this term.
Lee Naylor predicts Joao Gomes will be Wolves’ best player in 2024/25
Mario Lemina won Supporters’ Player of the Season the previous season, thanks to a run of outstanding performances for Wolves during a challenging campaign for him personally.
Lemina was inspirational, and will no doubt be hugely influential once again this term. He narrowly beat Matheus Cunha, who was a breath of fresh air for Wolves as he chipped in with 22 goal involvements. Nelson Semedo was named Players’ Player of the Season, after enjoying his best campaign for Wolves to date. Those three could all be big players again for Wolves this season. But for former Old Gold full-back Naylor, Joao Gomes could be the key man.
He said on the Wolves Weekly podcast: “I just think he’s improved every game from the start until now. His growth has been massive. Hopefully, he continues that. I can just see him being a top, top player. He is now.” Naylor is realistic about Gomes. He does not feel as though the Brazilian will still be at Molineux for years to come given his high potential. “His ceiling is higher than ours, unfortunately. I think he will go on from us, it’s just a matter of time. I just think he’ll be out Player of the Season.”
There is every chance that Gomes could end up being Wolves’ Player of the Season next year, assuming he is not sold in January.
The man known as The Pitbull has made a fantastic impression since coming to English football in January 2023 from Flamengo for £15 million, and is already one of the best ball-winners in the entire Premier League.
He was brilliant alongside Lemina last term for Wolves and you do get the sense that he will step things up even more in his second full season at the club.
He knows the English game now and knows exactly what O’Neil – whom he respects massively – wants from him.
Naylor is probably right regarding his views about the player’s future as well, sadly. Gomes has already had plenty of transfer interest, and it does seems like he’ll be one of those players who does not stick around for too long – surely, a top Champions League club will be in for him before long.
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