Barring an unprecedented collapse that is almost impossible to envisage, Wolverhampton Wanderers are destined to gain promotion back to the Premier League for the first time since 2012. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are now 12 points clear of second-placed Derby County and 14 ahead of third-placed Cardiff City.
Wolves’ form over the hectic festive period is a key reason for their standing at the top of the table. The Molineux outfit have picked up 13 points from their last five league games – the best record in England’s second tier. Comparatively, Cardiff have picked up three points during the period whilst Derby have gained 11. Momentum is huge in the Championship and the momentum is certainly with Wolves right now.
Like Manchester City in the top flight, Wolves have dominated England’s second tier so far this campaign. With 50 goals scored and only 20 conceded, Wolves have the best attacking record and defensive record in the Championship – the perfect recipe for success and it is hard to back against the Midlands side in their pursuit of automatic promotion on current form.
As of January 11th, Santo’s men are 1/20 in bet365’s Championship betting odds to win the title; hardly a huge surprise given their dominance in the first half of the season. In attack, Leo Bonatini and Diogo Jota have been sensational – scoring 23 of Wolves’ 50 goals. Both men are in supreme form and fans will expect more of the same in the coming months, although keeping hold of their star strikers next summer may be difficult.
Luckily for Wolves, the Molineux side are blessed with solid financial support. Not only did the club spend big in the summer but Wolves are also trying to bolster their squad in the current January transfer window. If you believe the reports, Santo has tried to sign highly touted youngster Andre Silva from Italian giants AC Milan for over £30 million and another bid could be coming before the end of the window. Wolves are heading in the right direction and heavy spending will be helpful.
There are reports emerging from Italy that Wolves have had a £34.7m bid rejected by AC Milan for forward André Silva….
Surely not?
The 22-year-old is one of Europe’s hottest strikers! #WWFC pic.twitter.com/NuE1lJO0fF
— FootballLeagueWorld (@FLeagueWorld) January 9, 2018
To compete with England’s big boys, you need to spend big. Wolves have already shown just how competitive they can be in the transfer market and Santo will be demanding a bigger kitty for spending if they secure promotion to the top flight. According to WhoScored, most of Wolves’ current squad are under the age of 28 and that bodes well for the future; this could be the beginning of a very special era for the club.
Wolverhampton Wanderers aren’t the immovable object that Manchester City are but they are certainly the Championship’s irresistible force. Backing against Santo’s men in the title race would be foolish given their efforts so far this campaign and fans will be dreaming of away trips to Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford and Anfield next season. Watch this space; we could be seeing Wolves back in the Premier League in the very near future.