00:00It's been a transformative summer already for Wolves, marked by the early exits of several
00:08key players, leaving the club at a crucial crossroads.
00:12As the team look ahead to the new season, the focus now shifts to those core individuals
00:17still at Molyneux, players expected to carry the club through what promises to be a challenging
00:23campaign.
00:25With the reshaped squad taking shape, Wolves must find the right mix of leadership, quality
00:29and resilience to compete effectively.
00:32The departures have opened up opportunities for established figures and emerging talents
00:37alike to step up and lead the charge.
00:40Despite the upheaval, Wolves retain a strong nucleus of talent.
00:45These players not only offer continuity but also embody the club's fighting spirit and
00:49ambitions.
00:51The summer priorities now include reinforcing the squad wisely, while fostering cohesion
00:56among the remaining group.
00:58We caught up with Charlie Haffenden of Birmingham World to get his take on Wolves' summer outlook.
01:04Which players are likely to take on bigger roles and how the club plans to rebuild while keeping
01:09an eye on long-term sustainability.
01:12Obviously, those two players going out the door, who do you feel is now the most important
01:18player at Wolves, because we saw the welcome of Emmanuel Agbadoo.
01:24He made a massive difference when he came through the door in January.
01:28And then Andre and Jao Gomez, the two Brazilians in the midfield.
01:31One of the best partnerships in the league, it has to be said, on their day.
01:35And those that sort of standouts now, they've obviously got a few young players as well.
01:39Pedro Lima, I'm going to see him get his chance at the 18 at right back.
01:44Who sort of stands out?
01:46You look at Jorwin Sean Larson as well.
01:4814 Premier League goals.
01:50That certainly can't be ignored by other fans across the Premier League.
01:54Well, I'd have to agree with the names that you've mentioned.
01:56Agbadoo, signing in the winter, just saw how much of an impact he had and how much Wolves' defence,
02:03how much more solid it became as soon as he joined the club.
02:05They were lacking that kind of fairly quick, but strong and dominant player in the air.
02:10Agbadoo, all of those things in abundance.
02:13I think him, alongside Yeozen Mosquera, once he's back from injury, could be a decent partnership.
02:18And, of course, Toti Gomez on the left of that three as well.
02:21Jao Gomez and Andre is a midfield partnership.
02:24It can be fantastic.
02:25I think they're a bit inconsistent, maybe a little bit hot-headed at times,
02:28or a little bit rash of their decision-making, but that will come with time.
02:31They're both still very young players and, of course, both being Brazilian in that international set-up together,
02:36they have more time, even during international breaks, to build on that partnership.
02:40Jorgen Strand-Larsen, I was worried you weren't going to mention him, scoring quite a few goals.
02:44I think he surpassed what Raul Jimenez managed in his first season at Wolves.
02:49So that's really promising indeed.
02:50Of course, coming in permanently from Celta.
02:53I think one player that you haven't mentioned who might not be a Wolves player come the end of June is Nelson Samedo.
03:00It's just so important, I think, that Wolves convince him to stay.
03:03It's just difficult because he hasn't accepted that contract since going on and on.
03:07It feels inevitable now that he's going to leave the club, and being the captain, being one of the very few proper leaders in that dressing room, I think he'll be a big miss.
03:15But if Wolves can keep hold of him, I think he'll be one of the most important players in that squad for many years to come.
03:20Obviously, since we last caught up, the season ended, Jorgen Strand-Larsen's figures, 14 Premier League goals.
03:27I think it's important we actually touch on that, four Premier League assists as well.
03:30At times, it looked like he struggled throughout the season.
03:34He went through some bad patches, but the way he ended the season under Vitor Pereira's leadership, especially the last two, three months, he was untouchable.
03:41One of the best players in the Premier League, really, on his day.
03:45He got some massively important goals, the likes of Ipswich away as well.
03:50What's your thoughts on him and how important he's going to be for Wolves going forward?
03:55Because scoring goals had been a bit of an issue, getting that Raul Jimenez replacement before his head injury.
04:00That was a bit of an issue that was overhanging Wolves' dugout.
04:04And now it seems like they've maybe found a solution.
04:07Yeah, they were crying out, weren't they, for that proper centre-forward after Raul Jimenez.
04:11And Strand-Larsen pretty much hit the ground running straight away.
04:14As you mentioned, he was patchy at times.
04:16But I think that's probably a fitness thing, that the Wolves were relying on him so much.
04:21Quite regular fixtures as well, of course.
04:23Not in Europe.
04:24I think that really would have been a problem if Wolves were.
04:26But still playing pretty regularly, not quite used to the intensity of the Premier League.
04:30But great signing so far.
04:31And hopefully it's not that curse of when he joins permanently that his form falls away.
04:36If he can continue on the rate he is and potentially improve further,
04:38you could have a 20-goal striker in Strand-Larsen.
04:42He really is fantastic.
04:48You're welcome.
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