Wolves training insight: Club's wide options ahead of new season

Pre-season is necessary for any manager to get his ideas across and considering Peixoto’s circumstances having come in this summer with a squad that still needs work in the transfer window, these days of training are essential.

There has been a big emphasis on using the wide players, building up attacks and working through attacking phases of play and after exclusive access to training, Liam Keen looks at the current wide attacking options, with the club likely to explore other options in the transfer market.

Rafiki Said

It has been our first chance to take a look at the new £7.7million signing and after a quieter training session on Tuesday morning, the 26-year-old came alive on Wednesday.

He has been consistently used off the left wing and has shown an ability to go both ways - either cutting inside or going one-against-one to the byline.

Wolves have few players capable of doing that and his pace and trickery is a welcome addition to the team.

On one occasion in a small-sided game, he was brave enough to take on his marker, shuffle into some space, and deliver a left-footed shot that crashed into the far side netting.

Later in the session, he unleashed a right-footed shot from distance that crashed off the post. He can use both feet and could be dangerous for Wolves in 2026/27.

His English speaking skills need work and he is regularly speaking French as it stands, but with time he should settle in.

Mateus Mane

Mane has the benefit of being versatile and capable of playing on either flank or as a number 10.

That will put him in good stead going into the new season, but he has often been used on the flanks during training this week.

Depending on the team-mates he has in drills or small-sided games, he has been put on either the right or left, and has occasionally gone to the right with Said has taken up the left side.

In whichever position they have put him, the 18-year-old has looked incredibly sharp.

After his breakthrough last season, he has since developed physically and looks a lot stronger after clearly putting on some muscle during his time off.

He has performed well in training and will be a real asset if Wolves can keep him.

Rodrigo Gomes

With Peixoto likely to play a back four, R.Gomes is expected to feature further forward and that is where he has been utilised in training.

He continues to show the same hunger and enthusiasm that we have come to know him by and has given 100 per cent in every situation in training.

He has regularly been used off the right side and has shown plenty of glimpses of his technical ability and his challenge now will be to fine tune his decision-making.

Fer Lopez

Lopez had to be included on this list because he can play off either flank and is versatile like Mane in that way, but it is important to note he has frequently been used as a number 10 in training.

The 22-year-old had a difficult time last season and was sent back to old club Celta Vigo on loan, but he looks happier around the squad now and more settled in the knowledge that Wolves are keen to keep him.

It is understood Peixoto is a fan of the Spaniard and is prepared to play him in the Championship - where his technical ability could cause a nightmare for the opposition if he can stand up to the physical test.

Tom Edozie

Edozie had a dream Premier League debut in February when he scored a late equaliser against Arsenal and now he is eager to take his next chance.

He will have a lot to do to earn a place in the squad, but it is not impossible if he can impress the coaches and hierarchy, and he has made a solid start in pre-season.

Similar to Said, he is keen to take players on, has quick feet and is prepared to deliver the ball early. Those attributes are attractive to clubs at this level.

Enso Gonzalez

The 21-year-old joined Wolves three years ago but has made just one senior appearance and then suffered a serious knee injury in 2024.

Despite that, he is now with the first team on pre-season and hopeful of getting his career back on track.

Gonzalez has had some good moments out wide and has shown impressive pace, but there is also some hesitancy in his play.

He may be one that requires a loan to get some more game time.