Wolves have endured a bruising start to the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.
Six matches in, they sit bottom of the table after losing five and drawing once, that solitary point coming in heartbreaking fashion against Spurs when Joao Palhinha struck a 94th-minute equaliser.
A goal difference of -9 reflects the struggles Vítor Periera’s side have faced both in attack and defence.
The Carabao Cup has offered a rare glimmer of light, with Wolves progressing past Everton to set up a fourth-round clash against Chelsea.
But in the league, their attack remains toothless: their expected goals tally ranks fifth-worst in the division, better only than Newcastle, West Ham, Aston Villa, and Burnley.
Burnley
4.5
Aston Villa
5.0
West Ham
5.0
Newcastle United
5.2
Wolves
5.6
Wolves must find a spark quickly, and they are already feeling the absence of their departed talisman, Matheus Cunha.
Cunha’s £62.5m exit was compounded by the sale of Rayan Aït-Nouri to Manchester City for £31m.
Though Wolves managed to retain Jørgen Strand Larsen – who contributed 22% of their goals last season and has since committed his future until 2030 despite heavy interest from Newcastle – Pereira’s squad is still adjusting.
Several arrivals, including Tolu Arokodare, Ladislav Krejci, and John Arias, add depth, but none will be expected to bear the same creative burden that Cunha once carried.
That responsibility may fall on the shoulders of a new arrival.
The loss of Cunha – the man who made it all tick
Cunha was central to Wolves’ survival push last season.
Arriving from Atlético Madrid in 2023, he went on to score 31 goals in 76 appearances across all competitions.
His 2023/24 league campaign was particularly vital: 15 goals and six assists in 33 appearances ensured Wolves had a fighting chance after a bleak first half of the season.
The Brazilian forward was not just about end product; his underlying numbers highlight how complete his game had become.
He averaged 0.48 non-penalty goals per 90 minutes, ranking him among the very best attacking midfielders in Europe, and his 3.87 shots per 90 placed him in the 99th percentile.
That volume alone kept defenders occupied, but Cunha also created for others, producing 4.68 shot-creating actions and 5.30 progressive passes per 90.
He combined that with 2.05 successful take-ons per game, showing he could beat a man as well as pick a pass.
For a side that already struggles to generate quality chances, losing his mix of direct shooting threat, creativity, and dribbling power is a hammer blow.
Wolves have not only lost their goalscorer but also the man who made their attack tick.
His sometimes volatile personality – including controversial outbursts on social media directed at fans – was tolerated precisely because of the quality he brought on the pitch.
Wolves' perfect Cunha replacement
Into that void steps Fer Lopez.
Signed from Celta Vigo in the summer for £19m, the 21-year-old Spaniard is being backed to take on the creative mantle.
Still developing, Lopez has already shown at youth level why he is regarded so highly, earning his Spain U21 debut in September.
Wolves see him as a player who, like Cunha once did, can gradually grow into a leader in the final third.
Lopez’s statistical profile underlines his potential. In La Liga last season, he averaged 2.68 shots per 90, enough to place him in the 77th percentile for his position throughout Europe’s top five leagues.
More importantly for Wolves, he created 4.19 shot-creating actions per 90, showing he can be a reliable source of chances for teammates.
His passing metrics are particularly impressive: a completion rate of 83.4% puts him in the 94th percentile, while his 6.52 progressive passes per 90 are elite, ranking in the 93rd percentile.
Add to that 2.33 successful take-ons per 90, and you have a “tremendous ball-carrier” – in the words of one analyst – who is capable of driving through lines and committing defenders.
Matches Played
17
Goals
2
Shot-Creating Actions
30
Progressive Carries
27
Progressive Passes
43
Those metrics echo some of Cunha’s strengths.
Where Cunha was known for his shooting volume and chance creation, Lopez’s passing reliability and ability to progress play stand out.
His 6.52 progressive passes per 90, ranking in the 93rd percentile, indicate a willingness to move the ball quickly through midfield into dangerous zones – something Wolves badly need as their chance creation dries up.
Importantly, Lopez offers versatility. He can operate as an advanced midfielder, threading passes into the front line or drop slightly deeper to dictate play in possession.
His intelligence in tight spaces could become crucial against compact defensive blocks, a recurring obstacle for Wolves last season.
The task of replacing a proven Premier League attacker like Cunha is daunting, especially for a 21-year-old still adapting to English football.
If Wolves are to climb away from the relegation zone, giving Lopez responsibility sooner rather than later may be their best route forward.
With Strand Larsen carrying the goalscoring burden and Lopez supplying the creative spark, Wolves might yet find a way to recalibrate their faltering attack.
