A challenging season ahead for Gary O’Neil: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2024/25 Season Preview

As the 32nd Premier League season fast approaches, VAVEL has you covered with a full preview of Wolves’ upcoming season.

New signings and key departures leave Gary O’Neil the challenge to maintain the positive squad cohesion he achieved last season which contributed to an acceptable 14th-place finish.

Fans have the right to look forward to another season in the top flight thanks to an exciting and mostly successful pre-season, as well as shrewd signings that can help O’Neil’s squad.

• Season Recap

Despite being a season of mixed fortunes for O’Neil and his side, it is difficult to describe the overall outcome as anything but positive when the circumstances around the club are considered.

Taking charge of the club just five days before the start of the campaign following Julen Lopetegui’s untimely departure, O’Neil was placed in charge of a Wolves side tipped by many as relegation favourites.

Early results were less than favourable however the signs were there that there was just something to believe in with O’Neil at the helm, and these beliefs came to fruition when Wolves began to kickstart their season in late September with a 2-1 win over Manchester City. The shock victory would become one of a growing list of memorable moments regarding O’Neil’s first year in charge.

Such examples come as derby day delight against arch-rivals West Brom, scoring for fun at the hands of Brentford and Everton in December as well as doing the double over both Tottenham and Chelsea, with Matheus Cunha’s hat-trick at Stamford Bridge highlighting the growing importance of the Brazilian to O’Neil and Wolves.

Supporters were of course daring to dream concerning a potential European return, and with the signs throughout the season, they had every right to.

Returning woes were evident as the season approached its final months, injuries to key individuals and subsequent lack of squad depth proved to hammer the nail in the coffin of Wolves’ season.

Wolves crashed out at the quarter-final stage of the FA Cup at the hands of Coventry City and limped towards the season’s end with just one win in their final ten league encounters. A sorry end to what had been a more than promising campaign.

• The transfer window so far

In a distinct change to the approach of years gone by, Wolves moved early in the transfer window, allowing three new signings to enjoy a full pre-season with Gary O’Neil’s squad.

Striker Jørgen Strand Larsen has joined on an initial loan deal from Celta Vigo, with Wolves holding an option to buy the Norwegian. At 24 years old, Strand Larsen offers Wolves a striking presence that they have lacked since their days in Europe with Raul Jimenez leading the line.

Strand Larsen has made an instant impact on a dynamic Wanderers frontline, contributing three assists during their recent pre-season tour of the United States.

Winger Rodrigo Gomes has joined from SC Braga, a technical yet direct winger that shares a similar style of play to fan favourite Pedro Neto, while also having the ability to play as a left wingback.

Strongest XI

Sa; Semedo, Toti, Mosquera, Ait-Nouri; Lemina, J.Gomes; R.Gomes, Cunha, Hwang; Larsen

Goalkeeper

The 31-year-old Jose Sa is entering his fourth season as Wolves number one and is the expected choice between the sticks.

Defenders

Despite competition from exciting youngster Pedro Lima, it is likely that Nelson Semedo will retain his place at right-back and with the departure of Max Kilman it means that Toti has to step up and become a leader in the back line.

Perhaps a surprising shout ahead of both Craig Dawson and Santiago Bueno, but Yerson Mosquera has impressed on loan at FC Cincinnati and Villarreal so deserves his chance at Molineux with one of the most exciting full-backs in the Premier League in Rayan Ait-Nouri at left-back.

Midfielders

Mario Lemina has been a rock in the Wanderers midfield ever since he joined the club and has recently been named club captain, partnered with now a regular in the Brazil squad, Joao Gomes.

Forwards

Another exciting young talent, the 21-year-old Rodrigo Gomes looks to be an ideal replacement for Neto. 

One of the key men in Wolves’ attacking system Matheus Cunha, will play alongside Hwang Hee-Chan for another season with Jørgen Strand Larsen leading the line off the back of 13 La Liga goals last season.

• Gary O’Neil

Written by Jack Underwood

Gary O’Neil’s debut season at Wolves saw him lead his side to a comfortable mid-table finish, after being tipped to be relegated.

The former Bournemouth boss has made a name for himself at Molineux and has become a fan favourite in Wolverhampton.

O’Neil has slightly modified his tactics from last year during preseason, switching from a back five to a back four, which has led the Old Gold to comfortably beat West Ham and RB Leipzig, whilst playing some excellent football along the way.

• Talking Points

• Defensive shape

Wolves have made the switch to a back four in pre-season, the first time they have tried the system since a 1-1 draw against Luton Town last September.

Although a centre-back partnership of Mosquera and Gomes offers physicality and speed, the pairing have not gelled as O’Neil would have wished in pre-season. With a tough opening month including fixtures against Arsenal and Chelsea, it wouldn’t come as a total surprise to see Wolves make a temporary switch back to their tried and tested five at the back.

• The frontline

There was a lot to be desired after Wanderers’ recent 1-0 home loss to Rayo Vallecano on the weekend. The departure of Neto – as well as the absence of the inured Matheus Cunha – meant that O’Neil was forced to trial a front four that would not be his first choice.

Pablo Sarabia played as a 10 while Hwang swapped flanks and was deployed from the right. New men Gomes and Strand Larsen filled out the attack, but with just the returning duo of Goncalo Guedes and Chiquinho acting as O’Neil’s only offensive options on the bench, it became clear that Wolves need additions.

• Tommy Doyle

Wolves’ best football in pre-season has come while Tommy Doyle has been dictating the tempo in the middle of the park. Like a shadow of Joao Moutinho from years gone by, Doyle has been metronomic in midfield, with his upbringing at Manchester City clear to see.

His presence in midfield has made the transition to a more possession-based style of football easier, yet most would argue that the 22-year-old fails to get into Wolves’ best 11. ‘The Pitbull’ Joao Gomes and captain Lemina have been a shining light for Wolves since their partnership began last August – and dropping either to the bench would be extremely harsh.

However, along with the ruthless nature of the Premier League, Doyle has certainly made a strong case to force his way into O’Neil’s system.

Expected Finish – 15th

Wolves have recruited well, and Gary O’Neil has been given the opportunity to bring in the players that he wants, unlike last year. FFP issues for Wanderers limited transfer business across the whole of last season. However, the sales of Pedro Neto and Max Kilman for a total of around £100m have given Wolves huge leeway in recruiting players this summer.

New players such as Rodrigo Gomes and Pedro Lima have impressed massively in preseason, as well as returning loanees Goncalo Guedes and Yerson Mosquera; this increases Wolves’ squad depth, something they have been lacking for a while and really hindered them last season.

It is safe to say that Wolves defied expectations last year and look even better so far in preseason. With the newfound expansive football and freshened-up squad, it looks as if Gary O’Neil will better his achievements from last year, and it could be an exciting season for Wolves fans.