Not so long ago rumours about the fastest winger on the planet signing for Wolves would have been met with universal fanfare.
It’s perhaps a sign of the times then that there isn’t such unanimous joy over Adama Traore’s imminent club-record arrival from Middlesbrough.
The naysayers point to a lack of end product, despite the 22 year-old clocking up 10 assists and 5 goals from just 24 starts and 8 sub appearances last season.
Others suggest he’s too raw and unpredictable to be successful in Nuno’s meticulous setup where the focus is on intelligent use of the ball and precise positioning out of possession.
Perhaps it’s right to have those concerns, but I myself am just excited by the potential.
Nobody believes we’re buying the finished product, but to me this just feels like the right moment, the right coach and the right team to extract the maximum out of such a prodigious talent.
Having come through at Barcelona and adjusted to English football over a punishing three season apprenticeship in the Premier League and the Championship, he shouldn’t need to acclimatise. He knows what to expect.
And surrounded by so many technicians in a well drilled Wolves side, he’ll get the ball in the areas of the pitch where he wants to operate.
If you look at the hundreds of YouTube clips of Traore it’s immediately clear that one defender can’t cope with his pace (we saw it ourselves in that famous ‘9 man win’ at the Riverside last season) and that in itself opens up the delicious possibility of freeing others like Jota and Costa to occupy the spaces in behind.
Equally, those searching diagonal passes we saw from Coady and Neves last season can get him isolated against retreating full-backs, which is another frightening prospect.
To get the general vibe from his current club, I spoke to Boro fan Matt Strachan from OneBoro and he told me the following:
“Very sad to see Traore Leaving. I was hoping we’d be able to tempt him into one more year for a promotion push, but unfortunately, the money and Premier League football is simply too good for all parties to turn down.”
“End product is still an issue. His delivery is getting better and he’s managed to get himself some goals for the first time last season. But, his decision making, in general, does need a little bit of work. Rather than give a simple pass to keep the play ticking over he’ll sometimes drive down closed alleys and lose the ball, I’m not too sure Moutinho and Neves will be best pleased if he does that!”
“Before this season, I was actually unsure if he could actually strike a shot properly as many times he’d toe punt or not make a great connection. This piece of footage sums up what I mean.”
“I think success at Wolves depends where he plays this season. If he’s played as a right winger I can’t foresee any issues but if deployed in Wolves preferred system last year as a wing back I think that would limit his potential.”
It’s interesting to hear Matt suggest that Traore could be deployed as a wingback at Wolves, which is something worth consideration given Nuno’s well established thirst for versatility and track record in converting players to suit his requirements.
His explosive pace up and down the wing makes him a good fit for the role on face value and even if it’s an idea only explored when chasing the game, it’s a nice weapon to have in the arsenal.
In his primary position, we’re already well stocked with Costa, Jota and Cavaleiro all viable options and it would be sad to see the latter make way if that turns out to be the trade off.
Either way though, the reported £18 million fee is a huge outlay for Wolves making Traore perhaps the greatest gamble in their history.
I just suspect though, it’s one worth taking.
I think this is bad business .He has had time to prove he can deliver big time and has not done so even at championship level let alone in the PL .Too many poor final balls to justify the price .Financial fair play limits our capacity for big outlays .
Furthermore surely all this money would have been better spent on any of a true goal scorer ,a centre back or a wingback of good quality to back up Doherty and Jonny .Iassume Saiss will how be restored to midfield to back up Neves and Moutinho .
Fair points Nick.
It was interesting to hear Jeff Shi’s comments about FFP being a problem for Wolves. Even with Fosun willing to dump in a load of dosh it’s obvious we can’t immediately compete with the top brass. No surprise the knock-on effect has been talk of new stadiums and all these micro commercial deals to boost the income column.
I have to say that Selling Barry Douglas and buying Traore were two wrong decisions made together and one is the cause of the other.
Traore is simply to raw and too expensive, he lacks precision and a footballing brain as the Middlesbrough fan indicated. To me its a mistake, we needed other players we bought him, he doesn’t fit and frankly other than raw pace he doesn’t seem to have much more to offer. I’m hoping he gets splinters in his backside sitting on the bench, but I fear we will compound the errors by playing him too.
Very very unimpressed.
Traore will be a gem once Nuno and his staff gets to work on him. His pace is lightning from the standstill We have all seen he can take on players with ease all he needs is his distribution and finishing in Nuno we trust.
Totally agree with you, Thomas. I am massively excited about Traore. From what I saw of him last season, I think he’s a potent weapon for us already. Get Nuno working on him to improve his awareness and decision-making, and the sky really is the limit on this one! Bring it on!
Glad someone agrees with me Greg. I never seem to have the popular opinion these days.
Thomas don’t worry about being popular being spot on is more important and you are nine times out of ten……!
Don’t we already have Bright if we want someone who can’t finish?
But seriously, what is the risk? He doesn’t get game time if he can’t do the job.
And I’m predicting another three to come in in the next 2 days.
I think Traore is an uncut diamond. His speed and dribbling skills will fit into our counter attacking system perfectly . He is a bit raw around the edges but under Nuno’s guidance he could become a massive player for the Wolves. Our gaffer really does get the best out of players and I am exited by this signing.
Well it’s pretty serious now methinks…….
nonplussed ..is that a word?
agree with the comment above he’s had lots of opportunity to prove himself and still yet to do so. for all the turns of pace and speed and skill we already have that in Cavalerio and £18m….?
as they say..in Nuno we trust
I’m excited by this signing, albeit with caveats.
The end product issue is an obvious one, but his figures show an improvement and I’m sure Nuno and his team will be able to help here.
I’m more concerned by his tendency to dribble when a pass would be better; our quick 1 and 2 touch combinations are a real strength, Jota’s goal against Sheff Utd springs immediately to mind, and so I hope that he can assimilate this style of play quickly. For these reasons I don’t expect Cav to be moved on yet, as we know he already fits the mold.
My biggest worry is the lack of cover / options for RWB and CM, and I would have preferred recruitment in these areas first.
However, having said all of that, the thought of Traore in Gold is truly mouthwatering. We’ll dominate far fewer games this term, so our ability on the break will be incredibly important, and having such a fast winger will provide many goal scoring opportunities throughout the season.
I expect he’ll start his career on the bench while he adjusts to the system at Compton, and I hope he picks it up quickly enough to make a big impact for us.
UTW
I share your thoughts pretty much exactly Sleach.
On the cover / options for RWB and CM I still think they’re hoping to land Zinchenko. I notice he wasn’t in their Charity Shield squad and I suspect he’ll go somewhere before Thursday. He would offer an option in both positions so will be keeping an eye on that one.
I really wouldn’t be surprised if Nuno considered using someone like Cav or Traore at RWB, at least as cover, so we could have hidden depth there too.
In midfield, I’ve been pretty lukewarm on Gibbs-White but have to admit he looked very good in his cameo on Saturday. They’ve invested a lot of game time and effort on his development so could be the surprise package.
Ha thanks! For what it’s worth I usually agree with pretty much everything you say too!
I suspect the problem with Gibbs-White has been that he’s naturally more of an attacking playmaker type midfielder, and we don’t play with those! His conversion to a deeper sitting midfielder is now gathering momentum, and with the likes Moutinho passing on knowledge he could emerge as a real talent this year. Many of his World Cup winning team mates are starting to break through, not least Foden at City. Just another reason to be excited about Wolves these days.
Still thinking about this but my gut tells me this will be a very good addition. Why? Because Traore is a disruptive influence.. he can and does run at defenders and that draws others in and creates space. He may not be Sane or Zaha but right now the only player we have who takes on defenders is Jota. I know ‘raw’ is not flattering in the PL but Sako was raw too… and a lot of us still miss him.
We won’t pass to death every team we play, especially the ones sitting deep.
If Nuno sees Traore as adding an extra dimension to our squad, I’m buying.
Realistically for us to do really well this season we have to continue with our shape and style and rely heavily with counter attack football,so l see this signing as a no brainier if you look at the Chelsea side that won the prem 2 yrs ago that was exactly what they did.We have pacy players who can provide link up play.I hope this doesn’t mean the end of Cav.
This boy is seriously fast, every time he went up the wing at the Riverside, leaving everyone in his wake my heart was in my mouth!
Nuno will sort out his end product, but even without that it takes 2-3 players out of the game marking him leaving the rest of the team to run riot
Not sure about Traore, true he has raw talent and could be a good prospect, however I think there are a couple of positions that need strengthening first. Although we have brilliant technical skills in midfield, we are a bit lightweight in that we have no real ball winner which is a worry and my concern is that we don’t have proper cover for Doherty although Castro can switch I know but in the Premier league second best won’t do. Maybe we can get more players in this week.
Great signing and under Nunno and the back room staff he can only improve.
I am really trying to make a case for spending all that money on someone who, if he plays, will most likely take the place of either Cav or Costa, both of whom are proven performers for Wolves.
Is he worth that much more than Neves?
Will his coming see the exit of Cavaleiro?
Answer to the first question :- No!
Answer to the second:- I bloody well hope not!
BUT! the thing he has in spades is pace, and he caused us problems last season.
If Nuno can add an end product and sharpen his decision making he could well turn out to be the bargain of the season.
I’ve got my fence… and I’m sitting on it.
I’m not sitting on any fence however when it comes to leaving Molineux.
For all sorts of reasons for decades it has been and IS THE SPIRITUAL HOME OF WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS.
A brand new stadium on the edge of town will NEVER be.
Plus, as has been said before, even in our heyday, average crowds were no more than around 45,000. Surely the existing Molineux footprint can cope with a stadium that holds between 45 – 50,000.
What’s the point of having a ground that holds around 60,000 if there are empty spaces all over the place?
And, it’s part of the City and almost unique in being smack in the centre.
I don’t want to have to drive out of town and spend hours getting in and out of a car park.
I don’t want to travel on a sweaty, packed train to some God forsaken site just off a motorway and sit with the prawn sandwich brigade.
I want to be able to walk to the ground and have a bit of banter with the salt of the earth Wolves fans who have followed the club through thick and thin.
I will probably get a bit of stick for being an old fashioned git – but I don’t care!
Just in case you haven’t already guessed…
I want us to stay at Molineux.
Our home.
You get off that fence, Doogle, that’s my job!!
Wolves without Molineux?
Never happen.
As previously stated, Chinese big on tradition and history, and Jeff will not want all the goodwill from last season to be turned against him and Fosun, losing face and all that.
No, as we see with our defense, where there’s a Wily there’s a way!
Would like to comment but concerned you may take offence.
Excellent BARDWolf!
I like the cut of yer jib.
And the construction of your fence.
Obviously Clive’s lads didn’t have anything to do with it.
If ge’s good enough for His Nunoship, then he’s good enough for me.
Nuno aint McDickwadhead in playing his faves and ones he’s bought. If he is found wanting, off he will go.
Look down the road to Boilerland, they’m all turning green with envy!
Can already visualize Traore brought on to run at a tiring defence already softened up by Costa and co.
Pulis improved his stats in the second half of last season and Nuno will surely build on that.
All the pundits agree pace is king and Traore of course has that to spare.
Would hate Wolves to leave the Mol and be playing at The Fosun.
.
Not ‘The Fosun’ but maybe the ‘Golden Palace’.
Despite my atheism I’ve always liked calling it God’s Golden Acre
Excited by Traore. I don’t see FOSUN shelling out 18 million without due diligence. I think that the last 12 months should prove that we must trust the decisions. They have that in the tank surely. My main worry is that Cav may be offloaded. Hate to see that happen. Cult hero. Brilliant song for him. Am pissed off that another 2 home games shifted for telly. That is now 5 of 19 (26%) so far. Before November is out. But what can you do? Bugger all.
I’m with you on the TV fixture moves, unfortunately an inevitable part of Prem life. Where we’ve been particularly unlucky, so far, is that all five switches are Home games, though I say that as someone who doesn’t attend Away matches any longer.
Change of subject…Isn’t it brilliant to be watching Championship football tonight’ and thinking bloody hell how hard is it to get out of that! We did it easily and now bring on the Prem!
Just thinking that Bognor. And hoping Forest take the in bred Sandwell shite to the cleaners..Go on Adlene bang one in!
There is a God. And Transmission by Joy Division on in the pub as it went in. Marvellous!
Second airplane over the hawthorns anyone
Lol
I’m happy that Wolves are going for Traoré, but only so if it is not at the expense of Cav. Adama’s performances last year suggests that he has the ability to cause opposition defences the jitters, whatever the league.
On the stadium front, I wouldn’t want us to be shifting from our current site. Molineux is an integral part of the city and close to the train station. A way must be found for Wolves to increase it’s footprint on the current site without the need to moving to a new, soulless, stadium.
Tim Nash just tweeted, “ Wolves have signed Traore on 5 year deal of £18 m”.
Will be announced tomorrow, 2 more to come in, 1 a marquee signing.
Anybody have a to the Sky Sports videos of Nuno, Connor and Ruben?
When watching the game at Riverside last year, I was so impressed by Traore. He was unstoppable. I tried to imagine how exciting it would be to have him in our side. I reckon in addition to his goals and assists, it would be interesting to see a stat on how many yellow cards he creates in opposition defenders – which affect the way that they play the rest of the game and helps the attack.
I love watching Cav – but it strikes me that Nuno does not love him. While reluctant to see him go, if he does get sold for the supposed 16m or so, then Nuno sees a significant upgrade in switching Traore for Cav for only 2m.
Not sure on this one, yes he is quick, but can be a hell of a headless chicken type at times. Agree with those who hope it does not mean Cav leaving, that following Douglas leaving would really piss me off. But like others I will trust Nuno’s judgment and hope that he know’s what he is doing.
Regarding the possible move out of the Mol the answer has to be
NEVER, NO BLOODY WAY, IT’S OUR HOME AND WE DON’T WANT TO BLOODY MOVE.
Move over Doog I am coming to join you and Clive on that fence.
Just spare a thought for Stuwolf jetting off for Florida tomorrow, I ‘ll bet he already has his bucket and spade ready, wearing his string vest , knotted hanky, speedo’s and flip flops…..but that’s enough about his man boobs.
Have a fantastic holiday mate!
I had to go to Sports Direct this morning, the trunks are so old the S wore off the name.
Bit dodgy going in the pool woth a pair of “Peedos”
Cav to Newcastle just a rumour.
It’ll never happen Carmen.
It’ll never happen?
Whilst I can understand the reservations of some fans, Adama is the fastest player I have ever seen on a football pitch.His pace is phenomenal. Under Nuno and his staff and surrounded by better players he will flourish for us.
Nuno has made ordinary players – Saisse, Coady etc , and transformed them into excellent players.
I am excited to see what he can do with Adama.
Traore is very much a rough diamond, but as the old Chinese proverb goes: better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.
A lot dissenting fans are concentrating more on his track record rather than his talent and potential. Let’s face it, if Traore had fully achieved everything he’s capable of, we wouldn’t be signing him now, he would be playing for a top four team.
Traore offers physicality, blistering pace and raw talent. He’s an unguided weapon. Nuno will soon guide him.
Whaddya mean, a top four team?
Isn’t that the minimum target for us this season?
I see that Sky Sports Premier League ‘Algorithm’ has predicted that Manchester City will come top and Wolves will come bottom this season.
Well, we might as well all give up now and chuck our season tickets away.
Nuno out!
At least it gives us an excuse to buy more players.
We certainly aren’t trying to buy the league, just survival.
And who can get upset about that?
Apparently the sky predictor does not take in to account money spent on players by clubs. It just looks at stats from previous premier league campaigns. As we know our most recent prem season in 2012 was a disaster. This predictor also has West Ham to finish 17th and they have spent shed loads on players in the summer. If it is any consolation I was reading one of the Sunday papers on line and they have us finishing 8th . which would marvellous!
Stupidest thing I ever read on the interweb DG. Hopefully.
Belgian international Leander Dendonker is the latest rumour.
Jack Grealish “Disappointed and Disillusioned” that Aston Villa refuse to sell him to Spurs, that won’t stop him kissing the badge again next season if it does fall through. Tosser of the first order
One of the most over rated players, ever.
And sly and slimy too, I’ll never forgive him for that petulant stamp on Coady at Villa Park, could quite easily have broken his leg…..greaseball.
Now we’ve started I will mention the hair cut !!!!!!
I think Wolves are going for broke now. No more pussy-footing around. They will make offers to some of the players they had rated below their main targets and whomever accepts first will be signed.
I think they really want to bring in another two/three/four before the end of the window and don’t want to risk not doing it because some Ukrainian flake doesn’t like Manchester nightlife.
“Estadio Deportivo, covering Sevilla interest in Andre Silva, say they’ve found out from people close to the striker that he’s “negotiating his move to the Premier League”
Jorge Mendes’ Gestifute are working on it. No clubs named.”
Could it be Wolves?
http://www.estadiodeportivo.com/sevilla/2018/08/08/andre-silva-negocia-marcha-premier/176972.html
André Silva negotiates his march to the Premier
With Michy Batshuayi in the first line of the Seville agenda, the club is still working in other ways. Options that can be parallel, in case it fails the Belgian- Valencia has gained a lot of ground in the last hours, and even complementary, because if the ‘9’ owner finally arrived on loan, could not do it alone. Thus, one of the most advanced steps in recent days is the loan of André Silva (Milan); but, according to what ESTADIO has learned , the Portuguese “is negotiating his march to the Premier League “.
From the surroundings of the Milan striker have assured this newspaper that although the option of Sevilla “is not yet ruled out”, Gestifute , the representative company of Jorge Mendes , is working throughout this Wednesday to close the march of the Portuguese international to England , where there are several clubs that have followed him for a year and that, if they have not moved before, it was because of the high economic demands of Milan , which spent 38 million on it just a year ago, when it was shown at the Porto .
There are several doors that Caparrós has called in the last hours. Thus, in addition to Batshuayi , Máxi Gómez or the management by André Silva who advanced Muchodeporte , the agent of Andrej Kramaric admitted to Pride of Nervión to have negotiated with Sevilla , who has also asked in recent days, among others, for Vincent Aboubakar ( Oporto) and, as confirmed to ED , also by Mariano Díaz (Lyon), all options that go above 25 kilos.
I think that was written in English, but not sure!
I’ve seen some of your postings, Cloive, so not sure why you are making an issue of it.
It was actually translated from Spanish, or Portuguese.
Many years ago, when this marvelous blog was in its infancy, there were occasions when it was a bit of fun to play with the clockwork mice.
I, and a few others, used to wind up a few fellow bloggers, and watch them ” go off”
Seems we have one back, Tim.
Nah, I just like to bicker back and forth.
Actually, I’m not sure who is winding up whom.
I think that next time Clive is over you pair should go out on the pub car park and av a scrap to sort it out. The winner gets a shiny new Wolves top.
I live in Canada. And I won’t comment on how the fight would go because I would hurt Clive’s feelings.
On the express and star site half hour ago ‘wolves close in on 28 million double swoop for zinchenko and dendonker’.. Well it is all a far cry from George Saville et Al. FOSUN came with big plans and statements. They are putting their money where their mouth is. That is £85 million spent in the summer. Phew. Still having to pinch myself!
Remember when Andy Gray signed on the pitch in front of the South Bank for a million plus 1979, when you look at what we are spending now and the quality of players it is amazing still pinching myself brilliant.
Yeah remember that Dorset. 1979 . so many false dawns. Pain. Hurt. Division 4.stagnation.bhattis.We really are on our way back. Billy Wright must be looking down now and smiling his head off. And Billy must be part of the reason FOSUN bought us in the first place. History. Tradition. Potential. Fuck off Chelsea. Liverpool we are coming for ya!
I already got a shiny new top, Cheesy, unlike a lot of you over there, so think of another prize.
How about not getting a season ticket for sandwell town?
That’s not a top…6XL is a bell tent!!
Watching the Adama Traore highlights vid, it struck me that it would have been impressive even if they hadn’t bothered speeding it up. The boy is like an olympic sprinter.
I believe that pace, especially that kinda pace, is god-given. You can’t teach it or coach it. You’ve either got it or you ain’t, and he’s got it. In spades. The rest of it, to a degree, you can teach. Or at least, with coaching and support, you can improve all the other aspects of his game. We have the coaching team to do this.
One thing is for sure. You ain’t gonna get defenders pushing up the field looking for a late winner if we’ve got Adama on the pitch.
It’s looking like Dendonker and Zinchenko are very likely to sign on the dotted line. Thus completing a terrific transfer window.
This transfer window has been far and away the best ever for Wolves – all our Xmases come at once. Nuno and the club have worked wonders.
Not all the signings will work out 100%, and it seems sure that one or two of our ‘family’ may be shipped out to find work elsewhere, but we now have the wherewithal to match any team in the prem.
Come on ! A season to look forward to.
They mean business! I am well impressed with what they’ve done this window, and as a long-suffering fan, can only be eternally grateful for the joyful swaggering football we were treated to last year, and the even more swaggering treats we are in for this season…
But…
A slight concern that we might have bought in too many new faces, and hoping that the squad and team gel something like they did last year. It would, in my humble opinion, be a massive shame if the connection that was built up last year be lost due to progressing too rapidly. Just a note of worry in amongst all the, understandable rejoicing. For Fosun to get the best out of everybody, the 11 on the pitch need to be “our Wolves”. Or am I talking rubbish?!!
Either way, come on me babbies!
I do agree; lots of new faces – all seem top class, but the team we seems to being re-built, and we must rely on Nuno and others to keep that spirit together.
Thing is, they love playing football, showing their skills, I reckon it’ll be good, we’re in for some exhilarating stuff.
Yeah, I’m so unpopular I can only speak to people through this blog. I mean, even my goldfish won’t look at me unless I bribe him with fish flakes.
However, time to get back to the plot: Traore will be either a sensation akin to how the crowd responded when Waggy/Bully went on one of his runs/charges, or an utter, unmitigated disaster.
Frankly I can’t wait to see him don the yellow jersey, even Mark Cavendish couldn’t keep up with this kid and once Nuno and his diamond polishing backroom boys have drilled him for a few weeks, I reckon everybody will be posting how they ‘always knew’ this was our best ever signing.
You just watch…
UTW
That’s weird? The post above was supposed to appear below Paul Featherstones reply to Thomas and is now completely out of context….
Oh well, Traore…..HIT.
UTW
Yeah, the blog’s all screwed up……
Thomas out!!!!
Look one thing I know everyone who bloggs on the site only want one thing a Wolves team to compete with the so called elite and thanks to Fosun that’s what we will be able to do this season and the sky’s the limit.
I’ve never looked forward to a season so much in all my fast approaching 51 years on Mother Earth.
Fosun have been brilliant since taking over and I know they only want to make us a force again there might be some tithing problems along the way but then nothing in life worth anything comes easy.
To all my fellow bloggers and Happy Wanderer espeacilly hope you all have a brilliant time this season.
Never lose the passion whatever your option might be folks…..!
Well said that man!!!
I have to say I’ve approached our previous forays into the Premier League with a sense of foreboding. Not this time. Bring ’em on.
Well said Paul never looked forward to a season like this, we all looking for the same thing that we are back as the famous glorious champions of Europe Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Thanks Paul. Really looking forward to the new season. Been going to the Mol for over sixty years and as excited now as I was aged eleven. Just never grew up maybe.
Fosun are clearly very serious people and hopefully will take Wolves back to the very top.
Good luck Paul and all the Wolves faithful.
Paul … can you email me about the West Ham tickets …thanks mate.
oldfield23@btinternet.com
Yes will do I’m at work so will do it tomorrow morning Twixfix.
Many thank’s
So Zinchenko has turned down a move to Wolves.
Bet he will get a lot of stick in two weeks time from the home fans…………………….if he even makes their squad.
If it’s not setting foot on the pitch but cashing in on the name of Citeh… versus the draw of Fosun spending billions on the Molineux juggernaut and playing every week, getting better, enjoying game time…
Well to most of us it’s a no brainier …
Still it’s his call… dumbson…. won’t be much ink used in printing your name on the team sheet…
To be honest, I’ve been thinking for a while that if we have to twist his arm to come, then it’s better he stays where he is. I understand we’re something of a last resort for Dendonker too.
One of our great strengths last season was the massive team spirit and harmony in the dressing room. We risk that at our peril.
Agree completely Wolf. Hopefully by the season’s end he will be full of regret and will fade away in Ukraine div 2.
I think once the players get here and see the fans at Molineux, plus the first class facilities, they will quickly realize that they made a wise choice.
I’m sure Ruben(s) was a little apprehensive about joining Wolves and now he/they love it.
Just don’t turn on them if things don’t go swimmingly for certain stretches during the season.
Perhaps Zinchenko turned us down cos City pay him more..Never mind son. Yo am history already. Have a nice time when you get half an hour in League Cup round 3 against Stevenage away.
Yea we don’t want him he is the sort of bloke who gets out of the bath for a piss.