The final stretch of the Premier League season is upon us, and though Wolverhampton Wanderers are likely consigned to relegation down to the Championship, there remains a glimmer of hope that Rob Edwards could orchestrate a turnaround.
While Wolves remain bottom of the standings after their dismal start to the season, there’s no question that Edwards has made improvements, hardened them, restored their confidence and spirit.
Wolves’ Remaining PL Fixtures
Date
Opponent
League Pos.
10/04/26
West Ham (A)
18th
18/04/26
Leeds (A)
15th
25/04/26
Tottenham (H)
17th
02/05/26
Sunderland (H)
11th
09/05/26
Brighton (A)
10th
17/05/26
Fulham (H)
9th
24/05/26
Burnley (A)
19th
For reference, Leicester City’s miraculous climb in 2015 was engineered with them seven points from safety with just nine matches still to play. Wolves have seven games to slash a 13-point deficit.
Fosun have been responsible for a number of abject transfer failures over the past several years, with the sale of Matheus Cunha last summer proving the final nail in the coffin. However, it might be Pedro Neto who the Old Gold frontline misses most.
Why Wolves miss Pedro Neto
In 2024, Chelsea purchased Neto from Wolves for a £54m fee, ending his four-year association with the Molineux side, where he emerged as one of the Premier League’s brightest prospects and was hailed as a “pace monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson.
He’s ebbed and flowed at Stamford Bridge, but there’s no question that Neto has left something to be desired for the west Londoners, having scored five goals and provided four assists in the Premier League this season across 29 matches.
Wolves have lost some of their mojo in attack over the past few years, and the sales of these key players has been the crux of it.
After all, across the 2023/24 campaign, Neto’s last in a Wolves shirt, he chipped in with nine assists across 20 matches, creating almost two chances every game.
It was always going to be tough, replacing him, but Wolves haven’t even come close, with the Portugal international’s belated stand-in flattering to deceive this season.
The new Neto may already be finished
Replacing Neto was always going to be tough, but one year after the fact, Jackson Tchatchoua was signed from Udinese in Italy for an £11m fee, restoring some pace and fleet-footedness down the channel.
Though the Cameroonian wideman is technically a right-back, he has darted up and down the wing all season for the Old Gold, and in recent weeks, has been more confident and assertive in joining the attack.
While Tchatchoua has improved of late, the fact remains that he hasn’t been good enough, blunt and ineffective down the right wing. Recent gains have not changed that, and though the club have enjoyed the fresh pace that went missing when Neto moved to London, Tchatchoua has been far inferior in his output and effectiveness, no goals to his name and just the one assist.
One of the fastest players in Europe, his blistering speed only accentuates the frustrating sense that he isn’t providing in the final third. Tchatchoua’s speed is a thing to behold, but he averages just 0.2 dribbles per game, completing a grand total of 36% of his attempts.
He’s still the fastest player in the Premier League, pipping the likes of Neto to that top spot, but it’s pretty obvious who would be more effective down Wolves’ right flank.
Fastest Pace in the Premier League (25/26)
Player
Opponent
Top Speed (km/h)
Jackson Tchatchoua
Everton
37.30
Jackson Tchatchoua
Palace
36.97
Destiny Udogie
Brighton
36.42
Anthony Elanga
Chelsea
36.35
Bryan Mbeumo
Fulham
36.34
Pedro Neto
Brighton
36.32
Whether Tchatchoua will be at Molineux next year is uncertain, but there’s no question that his performances have opened the door to an early exit, especially when Italian sources suggested this winter that a return to Serie A may be on the cards for the top.
Ultimately, Wolves are probably heading down to the second tier. But Edwards has rekindled something at the very heart of Molineux, and he has the wherewithal to guide them back up next year.
A clean slate is required, though, and Tchatchoua may not get a chance to form part of the rebuild after such a disappointing campaign.
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