Why Wolves should avoid a move for Faouzi Ghoulam

According to claims from Italian outlet Tuttosport (h/t Birmingham Live), out-of-favour Napoli star Faouzi Ghoulam could be set for a move to Wolves in the summer transfer window.

The 29-year-old is represented by Jorge Mendes, the Iberian super agent who has brokered several key transfers to the Midlands outfit in recent years under the stewardship of Nuno Espirito Santo.

As per the report, Mendes is keen for his client to join Wolves and Napoli are willing to cash in on the left-back, who has two years remaining on his current deal at the Stadio San Paolo.

Profile

Faouzi Ghoulam started his professional career with Saint-Etienne in the French top-flight and made close to 100 appearances before moving across the continent to join Napoli in January 2014.

The Algerian international quickly established himself as a key component of Napoli’s backline, clocking up 30+ appearances in each of his first three full campaigns in Italy.

However, Ghoulam’s influence has waned over the past three seasons, partly due injuries, with the 29-year-old very much a marginalised figure in the Partenopei’s set-up these days. Ghoulam started only thrice in the Serie A for Napoli in the previous campaign, often spending time on the sidelines due to recurrent injuries. 

In all competitions so far, Ghoulam has made a total of 183 appearances for the Italian club, registering 3 goals and 27 assists in the process.

Why Wolves don’t need him

Wolves conceded only 40 goals in 38 league games last season en route to their 7th-place finish in the English top-flight, the fifth-best defensive record in the entire division behind Liverpool, Man City, Man United and Sheffield United. 

Looking at those numbers, Nuno Santo need not be too desperate to bring in reinforcements at the back this summer, considering that his defenders did a really good job last term.

In Jonny Otto Castro, Wolves have one of the best left wing-backs in the Premier League. The Spaniard started 33 league games in the previous campaign and also played a key role in the Europa League before suffering a knee injury recently.

Ruben Vinagre has proven himself to be an able deputy for Jonny in that left wing-back role. The Portuguese U-21 starlet clocked up close to 650 minutes of PL football last season, starting 6 games in the process.

So, as things stand, Wolves have got a talented youngster like Vinagre vying with first-choice Jonny for a spot on the left-side of the pitch. With that in mind, they don’t ideally need a specialist left-back like Faouzi Ghoulam.

Despite boasting tons of experience in Serie A, as well as in the Champions League and Europa League, it’s worth noting that Ghoulam hasn’t played a lot of football over the past two seasons due to injuries. Hence, it would be a massive risk for Wolves to invest in the Algerian, considering his recent fitness issues and age.

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Verdict 

Suffice to say, Wolves making a move for Faouzi Ghoulam might not be the best idea, especially because it’s hard to envisage him playing regularly at Molineux. 

Nuno might as well look for a reliable back-up to Matt Doherty in the right-wing back department while a new central defender should also be a priority, given the club’s lack of specialist options at the heart of the backline.