Wolves manager Gary O’Neil has issued a cautionary statement, emphasizing that the club cannot afford to make numerous signings to compensate for the absence of key players during the upcoming international tournaments in January and February. The team is currently focused on securing a striker and exploring other positions for reinforcement. Notably, the Asia Cup and Africa Cup of Nations are expected to sideline key players such as Hwang Hee-chan, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Boubacar Traore for several weeks.
Despite the challenges posed by these absences, Wolves aim to conduct their transfer business promptly to mitigate the impact of losing the three players. O’Neil acknowledges the constraints on the club’s spending capacity, emphasizing the impracticality of signing multiple players for short-term cover during the five to six weeks of international tournaments.
O’Neil outlined the team’s strategy, stating, “The plan will be to do as well as we can when they’re gone, and when they come back, to do as well as we can do again.” He recognizes the upcoming period as a test of the squad’s depth and quality, acknowledging that other teams across the country will also face similar challenges with players participating in international competitions.
Despite the inherent difficulties, O’Neil remains optimistic about the squad’s resilience. He acknowledges the potential impact of losing a prolific goalscorer like Hwang Hee-chan but sees January as an opportunity to address the situation. The manager emphasizes the need to make strategic moves in the winter transfer window to strengthen the squad, considering both the short-term and long-term perspectives.
In addition to securing a striker, Wolves are actively exploring the possibility of signing a winger during the January transfer window. O’Neil views this period as an opportunity to reassess and reorganize the squad, particularly given the challenges posed by injuries, suspensions, and international commitments.
Reflecting on the team’s earlier form, O’Neil notes the initial stability when the squad was relatively unaffected by injuries and suspensions. However, he acknowledges the unpredictability of the Premier League, where the loss of a few key players can significantly impact the team’s performance.
In conclusion, O’Neil emphasizes the importance of managing the squad effectively and, if possible, strengthening it during the January transfer window to navigate the challenges posed by the upcoming international tournaments and maintain competitiveness in the Premier League.
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