It was an encouraging first season at Wolves for Gary O’Neil, who led the Old Gold to a 14th-place finish.
O’Neil took the reigns from Julen Lopetegui just days before the Premier League season kicked off, making Wolves’ progression this term something to admire after an incredibly difficult summer.
The Midlands club have improved their points tally of last season by five, as well as shattering their goal tally as early as Matchweek 22, telling of the areas the boss has strengthened.
Injuries and a lack of squad depth caused Wolves’ impressive form early into the campaign to fall off, winning just one of their final 10 games in the league.
There is a critical need for O’Neil to rebuild his squad this summer in the transfer window, with some top performers of the 2023/24 season hoping to be retained.
Here’s how 24 Wolves players who made at least one appearance faired over O’Neil’s first campaign in charge at Molineux.
Wolves goalkeeper’s rated in 2023/24
Jose Sa – 7/10
Undoubtedly Wolves’ number one, Sa had another impressive season at Molineux however, like many of his teammates, suffered a dip in form towards the end of the campaign.
Statistics revealed that the Portugal shot-stopper is the best in the Premier League behind only Alisson for his average of goals prevented to shots faced, telling of his importance to the Old Gold when at his best.
It will be interesting to see if the 31-year-old is a Wolves player next term, with speculation over his future already building ahead of the summer.
Daniel Bentley – 4/10
Being the second-choice goalkeeper in a squad is never a desired position, particularly when behind someone as securely in the side as Sa, with Dan Bentley getting few chances to impress this season.
The Englishman secured five Premier League apperances over 2023/24 where he conceded seven goals, numbers that don’t make for awful reading however, one performance saw the ‘keeper’s place in the pecking order shift.
After a disastrous display against Ipswich Town in the FA Cup Carabao Cup, it was made even more clear just how far ahead Sa is from the second-choice goalkeeper.
Wolves defender’s rated in 2023/24
Matt Doherty – 6/10
Doherty has had a relatively strong return season at Molineux, playing sporadically behind Nelson Semedo in the pecking order.
The Irishman excelled with a fan-favourite performance against West Brom in the FA Cup, with his experience and skillset being an assured cushion of depth for O’Neil in defence.
Rayan Ait-Nouri – 9/10
After almost leaving Wolves as a result of being an outsider in Lopetegui’s squad, Ait-Nouri has become one of the focal points in O’Neil system.
Showing his versatility playing in a range of areas this season, the Algerian was lauded as ‘incredible’ by his manager although, his impeccable campaign could be bad news for Wolves.
Having already been linked to clubs such as Manchester City, the 22-year-old may have played his last game in a Wolves shirt after showing his dazzling ability throughout the 2023/24 calendar.
Santiago Bueno – 5/10
Bueno has been strong when called upon however, it’s been made clear that the Uruguayan is firmly behind Craig Dawson in the defensive rankings.
Still, the 25-year-old is a good option of cover for O’Neil to have in his arsenal, with squad depth incredibly low at Molineux.
Craig Dawson – 8/10
After suffering an injury back in March, it’s been alarming how much Wolves have missed Dawson, who is the glue that holds O’Neil’s defence together.
Journalist Nathan Judah explained how ‘massively missed’ the Premier League veteran’s presence has been for the Old Gold, telling of just how impressive his season was over the 2023/24 campaign.
Based on how much he’s been missed and how evident his absence is, Dawson has prevailed as one of Wolves’ top performers under O’Neil this term.
Hugo Bueno – 5/10
It’s been a frustrating season for Hugo Bueno who after making a breakthrough under Lopetegui in 2022/23, was demoted back to his sporadic role due to the emergence of Ait-Nouri.
The Spaniard has had some high points this term, including his FA Cup quarter-final goal against Coventry City although, lack of game time due to injury and competition will leave the youngster feeling half-full.
Nelson Semedo – 9/10
It’s no surprise that Nelson Semedo joins Ait-Nouri as being one of Wolves’ top performers this season, with O’Neil’s shift in formation at the back being pivotal to both full-back’s games.
The Portugese right-back has played his best football at Molineux this campaign, showing his quality when supporting in attack and defending.
There has been some speculation over the former Barcelona star’s future at Wolves, with O’Neil admitting he is desperate to keep hold of the defender, who has had a marvellous season.
Max Kilman – 6/10
Wolves captain Max Kilman has had a strange season, playing every game for the club in the Premier League season, yet failing to massively impress overall.
The Englishman’s weaknesses have been exposed since the injury to Dawson, telling of his lack of presence at the back as a leader, which is alarming as the 26-year-old sports the armband.
Toti Gomes – 6.5/10
Gomes broke into the side at the start of the season when O’Neil shifted the formation, seeing him thrive on the left side of the back three in support of Ait-Nouri.
The 25-year-old was awarded with a new contract in February to celebrate his rise to prominence under the manager, with the future looking bright for the versatile defender.
Wolves midfielder’s rated in 2023/24
Mario Lemina – 9/10
Lemina was crowned Wolves’ Supporters Player of the Season to little surprise, as the Gabon international stood out as one of O’Neil’s best throughout the season.
No matter what challenges were thrown at the midfielder, the former Southampton jewel rose to the occasion with his leadership and versatility shining through consistently.
The 30-year-old formed an ‘incredible’ partnership with Joao Gomes in midfield, with the duo acting as the catalyst behind O’Neil’s success when changing the formation early in the campaign.
Joao Gomes – 8/10
On the subject of Gomes, the Brazilian was another standout performer for the Old Gold this term, despite having a dip in form at the start of the 2023/24 calendar.
O’Neil rotated his midfield to induce a higher level of performance from the 23-year-old, who passed the challenge with flying colours, being an unmoveable figure in Wolves’ midfield.
Similarly to Ait-Nouri, Gomes’ impressive form could be detrimental to the club, with his services already looking to be in demand ahead of the summer transfer window.
Boubacar Traore – 6/10
Traore has had a difficult season at Wolves due to being limited for game time however, when the 22-year-old has been involved, he’s made a good impression.
Towards the end of the campaign, O’Neil shifted his formation to allow three players to play in midfield, accommodating the Mali international, whose run in the side started with an impressive display against Arsenal.
Tommy Doyle – 7/10
Like Traore, Doyle has had to wait for his turn in midfield for Wolves however, the Manchester City loanee earned his permanent transfer to Molineux after slotting in well to O’Neil’s requirements.
Versatile in his trade in central midfield, Doyle can offer both an attacking threat and a metronome-like presence, in what may prove to be a bargain signing to acquire his signature for just £4.3m.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde – 5/10
After wowing on his Premier League debut against Liverpool, deadline day signing Bellegarde dipped after being sent off in the next game against Luton Town.
With poor form, not knowing his best position and injury combined, it’s been a trialling first campaign for the Frenchman at Wolves however, there have been glimpses to suggest the calibre of player waiting to be unlocked.
Tawanda Chirewa – 6/10
Securing eight Premier League appearances, there was a subtle feeling of a potential pending breakthrough for Chirewa, who impressed when used by O’Neil to cover for key absences.
The 20-year-old undoubtedly impressed the most out of the Wolves youngsters on show during the injury crisis, with this summer crucial to imposing himself further on the squad.
Wolves forward’s rated in 2023/24
Pedro Neto – 7.5/10
At the start of the season, many may have put money on Neto to be Wolves’ Player of the Season, flying out of the blocks to show his worth to O’Neil.
Unfortunately, history repeated itself for the Portuguese international, who suffered two hamstring injuries to cut his campaign short, however, greatly impressed when involved.
It will be hoped that it wasn’t the wingers final year at Molineux, with attention gathering over a potential move this summer.
Hwang Hee-chan – 8/10
Like Neto, Hwang looked on course to follow in the footsteps of Raul Jimenez before the turn of the year, as he netted 10 goals in the Premier League before going to the Asia Cup with South Korea.
On his return, the forward looked ‘lethargic’ and lost his form in front of goal, before suffering a hamstring injury.
Most importantly, the Korean showed just how clinical he can be when leading the line in O’Neil’s system, with next season hoping to be of similar potency.
Matheus Cunha – 8.5/10
Hailed as ‘exquisite’ for his performances this season by pundit Garth Crooks, Cunha came to light in the Old Gold thanks to O’Neil’s assistance.
The Brazilian racked up 19 goal contributions in the Premier League, showing how deadly he can be when played just off the striker, showing why Wolves paid such a fee to acquire him.
Pablo Sarabia – 6.5/10
A shock performer for Wolves this term was Sarabia, who claimed four goals and seven assists.
The Spaniard hit searing form midway through the season however, cannot score higher in our ratings due to his concerning drop-off at the end of the campaign, where he was criticised numerous times for his lack of conviction.
Sasa Kalajdzic – 5/10
It’s been a season of nightmares for Kalajdzic who after going on loan to seek gametime at Eintracht Frankfurt, suffered an ACL injury to rule him out for the campaign.
The striker only returned from the gruelling injury in June 2023, suffering again in February at a crucial time in his career.
Everyone at Wolves will be hoping that the 26-year-old will be back fit and firing after a torturous time.
Fabio Silva – 2/10
After being given the opportunity to impress O’Neil at the start of the season, Silva was sent on loan to Rangers, where he has had an eventful time, to say the least.
It’s now almost certain that Wolves will offload the striker in the summer, seeing the £35m fee paid for him go down the drain, amounting to just five goals scored in his career at Molineux.
Nathan Fraser – 5/10
Fraser was one of the youngsters that O’Neil trialled during Wolves’ injury crisis however, the Irishman showed just how far he is from nearing a breakthrough.
After showing his worth by scoring in both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup, it would be the ideal time for the talented prospect to endeavour on a loan spell next term to gain much-needed senior experience.
Leon Chiwome – 5/10
Like Fraser, Chiwome was handed minutes in attack for Wolves at a time of need and showed a similar lack of experience, which is to be expected of an academy talent.
The forward could remain at Molineux next season, according to journalist Liam Keen, in what could be an interesting development to keep an eye on.