Wolverhampton Wanderers, passionately known as Wolves by their fans, have finally managed to break into the Premier League after a long hiatus. The path back to the top-flight was not an easy one for the Wanderers. They had to fight tooth and nail over the last six seasons to prove that they belong to most-watched football league in the world.
The upcoming 2018/19 season will definitely turn out to be an interesting one when the top clubs go to war with one another. But having dominated a brutal Championship season, Wolves will surely be looking forward to carrying their stunning run into the Premier League. Let us take a look at some reasons as to why the Wolves will be a force to reckon with.
Winning the EFL Championship 2017-18 title
One might consider that the Premier League is where fans get a taste of top-quality footballing action. However, in the Championship, there’s a lot more than attractive football; it is a place of intense competition where every team is hungry for survival. The Danny Batth-led side battled it out with another 23 clubs and yet, they completely dominated the season.
The West Midlands outfit registered a total of 30 wins from 46 matches, ending the season with 99 points (9 points above runner-up Cardiff City). Eventually, they were picked up the Championship title for the second time after their first triumph in 2008-09.
Consistently finding the back of the net
Last season, the Wolves proved to be a nightmare for the opposition defenders. Led by Diogo Jota and Leo Bonatini, the Wanderers decimated their opponents. The duo went on to contribute 29 of the 82 goals they scored in Championship.
What makes this current squad a good one is the fact almost all their players had a goal to their name, providing a clear indication that the team is not only dependent on a few individuals. With a goal rate of 1.78 per match, the Wolves have sent out a strong statement.
Wolves’ signing spree
Since their promotion to England’s top flight, the Wolves have been on a signing spree, clinching some of the best transfer deals. On June 1, Wolves announced that they have completed deals for Benik Afobe, Willy Boly and Diogo Jota. With three high-profile signings, Wolves gaffer Nuno Espirito Santo has sent out a strong statement of intent.
The beginning of Nuno Espirito Santo’s era
After manager Paul Lambert parted ways with Wolves, Nuno Espirito Santo took charge of the club. A lot was expected from Santo, who had managed top clubs like FC Porto and Valencia prior to his arrival at Molineux Stadium.
The experience he brought along was visible since the first day of his arrival. The Wolves consistently stayed within the top-three spots in the Championship table and ended the season on a high. Having made a mark in the second-tier competition, Santo will definitely want to create a name for himself in the Premier League as well.
