Wolves had Sasa Kalajdzic to thank for his remarkable performance coming off the bench in their 2-1 victory over AFC Bournemouth on Saturday. The Austrian striker played a pivotal role in the late stages of the match, marking the second time this season he’s been the hero and helping Gary O’Neil’s side secure a seven-point lead above the relegation zone.
Matheus Cunha, who started as the forward, also contributed with a goal just two minutes into the second half. Pedro Neto, unfortunately, couldn’t find the net himself, as his left-footed strike hit the crossbar early in the game.
Out of the 21 shots attempted at the Vitality Stadium, only seven found their mark. It wasn’t until an error from Bournemouth’s goalkeeper that Kalajdzic got his chance to score. This highlights the ongoing issue for Wolves, who still lack a dedicated striker.
Gary O’Neil has openly expressed his concerns about the squad’s size, suggesting that preparations for the January transfer window at Molineux are already underway. The available budget will, as always, play a significant role in addressing this issue, but for some fans, the priority is clear.
Several supporters voiced their thoughts on the upcoming transfer window. Some worried about the potential loss of Pedro Neto, while others appreciated O’Neil’s honesty about the team’s situation. One fan pointed out, “We currently lack both talent and experience on our bench, and this needs to be addressed in the new year. Relying on players like (Matt Doherty) when there are no alternatives is insufficient for the Premier League and could become a major disadvantage as the season progresses if not improved.”
Another fan emphasized the need for immediate reinforcements, saying, “We need (Jean-Ricner) Bellegarde back as soon as possible, and I believe he’s worth the price. But we absolutely must acquire a striker in January.” This sentiment was echoed by another supporter who called for a backup for Kalajdzic, explaining, “Neither (Matheus) Cunha nor Hwang (Hee-chan) are true strikers, leaving (Fabio) Silva as the only backup. Given Kalajdzic’s injury record, we can’t risk having only Silva as a recognized striker midway through the season. We need depth.”
Of course, football is a game filled with varying opinions, and what fans consider a priority in January may not align with the club’s recruitment team. However, the possibility of a bargain deal could entice Jeff Shi and O’Neil to sign a new striker.
Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy is currently one of the hottest number nines in European football, having scored an impressive 15 goals in just nine appearances this season. Despite his reported reluctance to leave the Bundesliga outfit in January, the allure of the Premier League may be hard to resist. Although there are no apparent links to Guirassy at the moment, his acquisition would send a strong message to Wolves’ fans who love goal-scoring players.
At a price of £15.2 million, the risk associated with this deal is considerably lower for Wolves compared to top European clubs. Clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea tend to spend more on players like Ivan Toney or Victor Osimhen, leaving an opportunity for Wolves to secure Guirassy.
The prospect of a front three featuring Pedro Neto, Guirassy, and Hwang is sure to excite supporters, and only time will reveal how the striker situation will evolve in early 2024. What position Wolves should prioritize in January remains a topic of discussion among fans.
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