Wolves vs Everton

Wolves vs Everton

1. Core Players & Star Quality

Wolves 

• Lost their main creative and scoring threat Matheus Cunha (15G, 6A, 2,600+ mins), a huge blow to their attacking identity. 

• Remaining core includes Rayan Aït-Nouri (4G, 7A), João Gomes (3G, 1A, 3,000 mins), and Jørgen Strand Larsen (14G, 4A). 

• Defensive stability from Toti Gomes (suspended) and Nelson Semedo (departed) has weakened, forcing reliance on Santiago Bueno and André. 

• Goalkeeper José Sá provides reliability but missed minutes last season. 

• Overall star quality: reduced sharply with Cunha’s exit, leaving Larsen as the only consistent scoring outlet. 

Everton 

• Solid defensive anchor: Jordan Pickford (38 apps, 3,420 mins) and James Tarkowski (33 apps, 2,900 mins). 

• Attack led by Iliman Ndiaye (9G) and Thierno Barry (11G, 4A). 

• Midfield drive from Abdoulaye Doucouré (3G, 2A) now gone, leaving Idrissa Gueye (35) as an aging pivot. 

• Jack Grealish added (716 mins, 1G, 1A) but not yet a key figure. 

• Core strength lies in defense and consistency, but less firepower than Wolves pre-Cunha. 

2. Departures Impact

Wolves 

• Matheus Cunha’s exit: drastic impact — removes a 15-goal creative hub. 

• Nelson Semedo and Rayan Aït-Nouri (both left) → loss of two dynamic wide players. 

• Leaves Wolves overly reliant on Larsen and Rodrigo Gomes for goals. 

Everton 

• Doucouré (midfield energy) and Calvert-Lewin (forward depth) gone. 

• Ashley Young and Jack Harrison also left → less depth in wide areas. 

• Still maintain defensive continuity with Tarkowski, Branthwaite (injured), and Pickford. 

3. New Player Integration

Wolves 

• Fer López (youth, untested), David Møller Wolfe (LB, limited appearances). 

• Marshall Munetsi (2G, 1A in 1,000+ mins) adds midfield steel. 

• Nasser Djiga and Emmanuel Agbadou bolster defense but not upgrades over departed players. 

• Lack of proven forward signing to replace Cunha = major issue. 

Everton 

• Thierno Barry (11G, 4A, 2,300 mins) looks a strong addition up front. 

• Orel Mangala and Carlos Alcaraz provide midfield legs and creativity. 

• Jake O’Brien (24, CB, 17 apps) strengthens rotation. 

• Recruitment more balanced, though none are truly elite signings. 

4. Assists & Goals Output

Wolves 

• Cunha gone → 15 goals and 6 assists lost. 

• Strand Larsen (14G, 4A) now lone reliable scorer. 

• Aït-Nouri’s 7 assists also gone. 

• Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (7A in 1,600+ mins) offers some creativity. 

• Scoring load dangerously concentrated on Larsen. 

Everton 

• Thierno Barry (11G, 4A) and Ndiaye (9G) provide dual-threat attack. 

• McNeil (4G, 6A) adds wing creativity. 

• Doucouré’s exit reduces late-midfield goals. 

• Attack spread across 3–4 players, but none with 15+ goal output. 

5. Substitutes’ Experience & Depth

Wolves 

• Sarabia (3G, 2A) and Rodrigo Gomes (2G, 0A) offer rotation options. 

• Hwang Hee-Chan (2G) struggled with consistency. 

• Defensive subs: Dawson (aging), Djiga (inexperienced). 

• Bench weaker after departures — lacks game-changers. 

Everton 

• Beto (8G) is a proven sub forward. 

• Dwight McNeil (10+ G/A) provides solid attacking cover. 

• Lindstrøm, Grealish, Patterson give flexibility. 

• Bench superior to Wolves in both experience and productivity. 

6. Forecast & Expected Dynamics

1. Wolves Challenge: Without Cunha and Aït-Nouri, creativity and finishing take a big hit. Larsen isolated → easier for Everton to contain. 

1. Everton Advantage: More balanced attacking contributors and better defensive organization. 

1. Likely Flow: Everton look compact, Wolves attempt direct play to Larsen, but lack of secondary scorers may hurt. 

7. Predicted Strength Balance

• Wolves: ★★☆☆☆ (Below average) — Cunha’s exit leaves scoring vacuum; bench thin and defense unsettled. 

• Everton: ★★★☆☆ (Solid) — well-organized defense, multiple attackers contributing, but lack elite scorer. 

Projected Result: Everton win narrow (1–0 or 2–1) given Wolves’ loss of attacking edge.