Wolverhampton Wanderers have had a difficult two summers. Even though the Old Gold received a sizeable payout for each of the departing stars, the Midlands club has undoubtedly suffered as a result of the loss of numerous key players.
Ruben Neves left Wolves for Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2023, and Matheus Nunes joined Manchester City. More recently, Pedro Neto joined Chelsea during the summer transfer window of 2024, and notably, Max Kiliman left for West Ham United.
It was the latter departure, for £40m, which has had a big impact on Gary O’Neil’s side this term. Without Kilman at the heart of their defence, the Molineux outfit have been defensively shambolic.
Wolves’ defensive stats 2024/25
It has been a very disappointing campaign so far for the Old Gold, but they have been especially underwhelming at the back. Of course, that is partly due to Kilman’s departure. Not only was he club captain, but an ever-present last term as they kept five Premier League clean sheets.
This term, however, the Old Gold find themselves sitting at rock bottom of the table, conceding the most goals in the English top flight, with 21. In fact, Carlisle United, who are bottom of League Two, are the only side in the 92 who have conceded more goals, letting 23 in so far.
Concerningly for O’Neil, his side are not actually bottom when it comes to expected goals against in the Premier League this term, as per Understat. There are actually three sides ahead of them in that respect; based on the metric, Wolves have just 15.18xGA this term.
They have been equally poor when it comes to their defensive record both at Molineux, and away from home too. They have already conceded ten goals at home this term, and are a third of the way to last season’s tally of 30 already. That included a 6-2 home defeat to Chelsea. It has been a disastrous start.
It has been a desperately disappointing campaign for O’Neil’s team, affected by the loss of Kilman. Whilst they may go searching for a solution to their defensive woes this January, their answer could already lie at the club, in the form of a currently on-loan academy defender.
The star of Wolves who could take Kilman’s place This dude is thrilling Nigel Lonwijk, the young defender. The 21-year-old is a native of the Netherlands and has played football for both the national team and a first team. More specifically, the young player is now on loan at Huddersfield Town after stints at Wycombe Wanderers and Plymouth Argyle.
The young Dutch defender made his debut against Rotherham United this season and has started six of the Terriers’ seven League 1 games, playing ninety minutes in all but one of them. Additionally, he started and participated for ninety minutes in both of the EFL Trophy games. Thus far, he has been an essential member of the Yorkshire team. Standing six feet three, the towering defender received high marks from former Plymouth manager Steven Schumacher. The boy has a “bright future” in the game, he said, calling him a “real quality player.”
In the 2024/25 season so far, the centre-back has been impressive for Huddersfield, with the Terriers currently sitting in ninth in the table.
His Sofascore stats show just how well he has performed, averaging 4.3 ball recoveries per game and winning 71% of his duels.
It would certainly be a bold call for O’Neil to recall the youngster this winter. However, given his obvious talent and the fact he has experienced the rough and tumble of the football league, it could be a risk worth taking at the Old Gold look to have an uphill battle for Premier League survival.
Perhaps the Midlands side could have the perfect Kilman replacement already on their books.
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