Three Wolves players to watch in pre-season

Yerson Mosquera

After joining the club back in June 2021, the Colombian has only gone on to make one competitive appearance that was cut short due to injury.

Mosquera made his debut in a Carabao Cup third-round match against Tottenham Hotspur in September 2021, however his delight was marred by a hamstring injury that would keep him sidelined until January 2022.

The 23-year-old has enjoyed two successful loan spells since he joined the West Midlands club – the first with FC Cincinnati in 2023 where he helped the team top the Eastern Conference table.

Mosquera played 35 games For FC Cincinnati, he scored three goals which included a stoppage time winner in the Eastern Conference semi-finals against Philadelphia Union which led to him becoming a fan-favourite.

In the 2024 January transfer window, Wolves sent their young centre-back out on loan again – this time to Spanish side Villarreal where Mosquera played 18 games and impressed again as he became a regular starter.

O’Neil and several reports have suggested that the centre-back will stay for the season and attempt to provide strong competition to the more senior players and hopefully earn himself a starting spot.

He is one-to-watch after two successful loan spells and having not completed 90 minutes for Wolves which begs the question whether he can survive in the big league – friendly matches against Premier League opposition should hopefully provide some clues.

Daniel Podence

Podence has expressed his desire to leave Wolves permanently this summer after a successful season-long loan spell at Greek side Olympiacos.

Despite this, it will be an interesting situation to keep an eye on as O’Neil included him in his 29-man squad training in Marbella – unlike fellow Portuguese forwards Fabio Silva and Goncalo Guedes who were omitted from the travelling squad.

Late into the Greek league transfer window and early in O’Neil’s reign at the club, the head coach spoke on the situation with the player.

He said: “At the moment the squad’s ambition – and where we’re trying to get to – and Daniel’s aren’t aligned.”

This should indicate that Podence’s career in Wolverhampton is over, however O’Neil’s man-management skills could relight the relationship between the two and potentially give the 28-year-old a second chance in the squad – should the Portuguese want that.

It was only just over a year ago that the forward was Wolves’ biggest attacking threat in an underwhelming season that saw the team finish last in the league for goals scored with just 31.

During his loan spell last season, Olympiacos finished third in the Greek Super League as well as winning the UEFA Conference League; Podence played 47 matches across all competitions and contributed to 28 goals – 13 goals and 15 assists.

Chiquinho

Another player returning from a successful loan spell who has yet to make a mark in front of the fans at Molineux, however this season could be the breakthrough season for the young winger.

The 24-year-old was sent out on loan to Stoke in summer 2023, but he was recalled after just four matches and redirected to F.C. Famalicao in his country’s top division.

He appeared in 27 matches and contributed to nine goals, five goals and four assists in a successful eighth placed finish for the Famalicenses.

Chiquinho was signed by Wolves from Estoril in January 2022 but only made nine competitive appearances for the club. A serious injury in July 2022 saw him sidelined for 356 days, which stunted his progress for a starting spot after impressing originally.

O’Neil has included Chiquinho in his travelling squad to Marbella and started him in the second half of the warm-up match against Como 1907 which should indicate he is willing to give the winger a chance.