Wolves 2019/20 Review: End of Season Report Card for Nuno Espirito Santo's Men
By Robbie Walls
While there's been a number of standout moments in this disjointed season, one story that has slipped under the radar is the continued impressive performances of Wolverhampton Wanderers. Ever since their return to the Premier League in 2018, Nuno Espirito Santo's men have looked the real deal and are edging closer to becoming genuine Champions League qualification contenders - or even unlikely title challengers.
That may seem far off, but with Raul Jimenez supplying the goals and Adama Traore now an unstoppable force on the wing - he's even learnt to cross a ball - the midlands club have a bright future ahead and can be mightily proud of another remarkable season in the top-flight.
Despite some final day heartache, the impending Europa League end of season extravaganza provides Wolves with another shot at securing European football next season and a place alongside Europe's elite.
League Performance
Premier League - 7th
For all their excellent work this season, a slight wobble following restart ultimately saw the club miss out on successive Europa League qualifications - for the time being, at least - with their defeat to Chelsea seeing them edged out of sixth-place by a 'resurgent' Tottenham Hotspur.
Although the head-scratching end of season permutations could see them still find themselves in next season's Europa League - if Chelsea win the FA Cup this weekend - there may have been a tinge of disappointment that a top six finish was not secured.
The season itself saw Wolves claim an impressive double over Manchester City, while they also held Manchester United to two draws - a real marker of their threat to the so-called 'Big Six'. With essentially the same starting XI turning up week in, week out, many sides would have begun to look predictable or jaded, yet Santo's side looked increasingly like one with a plan and structure - something which can't be said for many others.
Domestic Cup Performance
Carabao Cup - Round of 16
They may have been distracted by their continental exploits, yet defeat to Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup is perhaps the low point of their fine season.
The midlands clash saw Ahmed Elmohamady grab an unlikely winner for the Villans, as a much changed Wolves side crashed out.
FA Cup - Third Round
Santo's men suffered a similar fate in the FA Cup, as they were dumped out at Old Trafford in a third round replay, having drawn 0-0 at Molineux.
Juan Mata's delightful dink gave United a 1-0 win in a cagey affair, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men got revenge after having been knocked out of the competition by Wolves in last year's edition.
Continental Cup Performance
Europa League - TBD
While some may have been critical of Wolves' lack of rotation and inevitable burnout, it is worth remembering that their season actually began in July 2019. As many clubs were soaking in the sun on pre-season tours, Wolves were beginning their Europa League adventure, securing a 6-1 aggregate victory over Crusaders in their first of three rounds of qualifying.
Fast forward 12 months, and the club now find themselves in a strong position to progress into the Europa League quarter-final, having earned a 1-1 draw away at Olympiakos in the last 16 first-leg tie. Their European voyage has already seen them crush Espanyol as well as claiming victory over Turkish giants Besiktas, all while still impressing on the domestic front.
While there is still a lot of work to be done, the club are rightly one of the best-placed clubs to lift the trophy and capture a much-coveted Champions League spot.
Best Player
Traore may rightly be getting a lot of praise for his vastly improved displays, but anyone who watched Wolves this season will know it's their Mexican hotshot Jimenez who is the real star man. The former Benfica forward arrived in England to little fanfare, yet has quickly emerged as one of the top flight's most potent forward players.
The 29-year-old has, so far, scored 26 goals this season in all competitions and is rightly being linked with a move to one of Europe's elite clubs. His hold-up play, aerial ability and hardworking style have endeared him to a number of onlookers, with Wolves fans surely praying that he's still at the club at the start of next season.
Worst Player
In truth, there are very few players who've had a poor season at Molineux and no one deserves the title of worst player. Perhaps one man who has somewhat disappointed this season is young Morgan Gibbs-White who has seen his playing time severely reduced, while off-field issues during lockdown also brought unwanted scrutiny.
The Manager
Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola are rightly regarded as the top two managers in the division, yet there is a strong case to suggest that Santo is not far behind. The Portuguese manager has sparked a revolution at Wolves and has adapted to top-flight football quicker than perhaps any other before him.
Like some of his key men his future at the club could perhaps be in doubt, with a number of sides surely lining up to offer him the hot seat - although a new contract at the club could be on the horizon. That being said, the project he is currently orchestrating at Molineux is too good to abandon.
Overall Grade - B+
Somewhat slipped up when no one was watching in the summer term, yet on the whole a truly excellent season that could get even better.