Wolverhampton Wanderers enjoyed an exceptional start to life under the new boss Vitor Pereira in Premier Leagueuntil Nottingham Forest’s Nuna Espirito Santa traveled to Molineux to spoil the good mood.
Indeed, the high-flying away side thumped Old Gold convincingly in a 3-0 defeat, leaving Wolves precariously close to the relegation zone but just outside it on goal difference.
Pereira will want his side to be tighter in defense in the coming games, having kept a clean sheet on his debut away to Leicester City, only to be dropped in worrying fashion to start 2025.
Therefore, new defensive reinforcements are firmly on the mind of the Portuguese manager, and several deals are reportedly in the works.
Wolves are looking for a new central defender
According to the report of Daily Mail OnlineWolves are now in the market for Chelsea back-up defender Renato Veiga as another option to improve their numbers at the back.
AFC Bournemouth are also reportedly snooping around from the Premier League, and Veiga may already be looking to leave Stamford Bridge due to limited playing time, despite only joining last summer.
This wouldn’t be the only possible new recruit at Wolves when it comes to defensive additions, with a deal getting closer to Emmanuel Agbadou to join the ranks from Rennes, with this fresh news that the former Basel man could soon be joining him through the door.
After all, Pereira’s team holds the unwanted label of the most leaky defense in the first division this season, with A total of 45 goals leaked, which means the new improvements could lead to the advancement of more decisive displays.
With help at the back, the Blues’ potential youngster acquisition could contribute Rayan Ait-Nouri more freedom to attack from the left, with Veiga a left-back by nature likely to sit while the Algerian excels roaming forward.
What Veiga could offer Wolves
The Portuguese target would make a name for himself as a combative presence playing for Basel in defense in the Swiss Super League, with a stunning seven ball returns average per league clash during his outstanding 2023/24 campaign, which led to Chelsea’s split 12 million pounds to reach the exciting defender.
Of course, his opportunities in the Premier League’s first team under Enzo Maresca were limited due to the breadth of options available to the Italian, but when he started for his new side in the European Conference League, he impressed.
|
Vega’s numbers against Astana |
|
|---|---|
|
Stat |
Veiga |
|
Minutes played |
90 |
|
Goals scored |
1 |
|
Assists |
0 |
|
It touches |
98 |
|
Precise passes |
68/77 (88%) |
|
Shots on goal |
5 |
|
Total number of duels won |
2/5 |
|
Interceptions |
3 |
|
Statistics according to Sofascore |
|
His display against Astana shows an adaptability to Veiga’s game that will make him an even more attractive signing for Wolves, with a goal scored in the Conference League when he plays down the channels, far from being a strictly defensive option.
Of course – in the current plight of the old gold – they would like Veiga to be more of an option they can throw into the mix as one of three centre-backs, which he can also do with most of its appearances for Basel he either comes in defensive midfield or in the more traditional position of central defender.
Playing Wolves’ potential new signing here would allow Ait Nouri to progress further up the pitch, with his connected play often a joy to watch when fully fit, leading to his build-up eight goal contributions this season in the league he played only 19 games.
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In the last game, instead of causing Forest problems in this capacity, Ait Nouri was selected to play as one of three centre-backs by Pereira, which culminated in Wolves drawing empty-handed all night.
As such, having an addition like Veiga in the building could allow the Algerian the freedom to bomb down the left flank in his preferred full-back role, safe in the knowledge that he has quality cover behind him in the form of the current Chelsea man.
Once mentioned as a “hidden gem” according to football data analyst Ben Mattinson, Veiga will hope that this January move will make him the leading man for whichever side take him on, while Pereira hopes the addition will provide his squad with more defensive solidity during testing times.
