Inside track: Wolves new boy Tommy Doyle ‘a fine player'

Boubacar Traore is also a similar player, while Joe Hodge is capable of doing both sides of the game, but is still young and currently injured.

Fellow midfield signing Jean-Ricner Bellegarde is more of a forward-thinking midfielder – someone to create and score goals.

Wolves were in need of a ball-playing midfielder to take a firm grip in games, as well as adding some set piece skills, and Doyle was the answer they found.

Arriving on a season-long loan from Manchester City, with a £4.3million option to buy next summer, Wolves have signed one of the stars of the Championship last season when Doyle shone at Sheffield United.

The 21-year-old managed four goals and seven assists across all competitions in 38 games during 2022/23.

His off-the-pitch attitude will be just as important, however, with Wolves making a concerted effort to recruit young and hungry players, or those with a point to prove, after previously making additions that had failed to work.

For more of an in-depth insight into Doyle we spoke to DANNY HALL, Sheffield United writer for the Sheffield Star, who watched the player impress in south Yorkshire last season.

How would you describe Doyle as a player?

Without wanting to over-egg it too much, he seemed to me like the all-round midfielder. He did the dirty work, covering ground and putting his foot in and winning the ball back, but then had a bit of quality on the ball too, with a great range of passing and an eye for a spectacular goal as well, as shown by his stunner against Blackburn in the cup.

He took a bit of time to get going at United because of injuries, but he finished the season in a holding midfield position, but he’d be equally comfortable playing further up as well in a ‘conventional’ two or three.

What are his strengths?

That range of passing is definitely a strength. He also had a good engine to get up and down the pitch, but I think arguably his biggest attribute was his attitude.

We never once got the impression he was a City player on loan at United – he was fully invested in United from day one until the day he left, and a bit after too as he was keen to come back.

Is he ready for the step up to the Premier League?

I’d say he has all the attributes to be able to play in the Premier League, but with the caveat that we’ll never really know until it happens.

He’s been groomed in City’s academy for so long that they clearly had such hopes for him and I really hope he does go on to make it at Premier League level. It would have been nice to see him do that at United but the stars just didn’t align for that to happen, but everyone here – fans, players, staff – will wish him well. Apart from two games of the season anyway!

What is he like as a character?

As I touched on, he fit in the dressing room brilliantly. There was no element of the big time Charlie about him, coming from City – he was fully invested and played a big part in helping United enjoy such a memorable season.

You have a fine player and an equally impressive young man on your hands.