One Wolves star has come fourth in a list of most improved Premier League players for the 2023/24 season.
It was a rollercoaster season for Wanderers, who had a tough start, really strong middle, and poor end.
Gary O’Neil‘s side finished 14th in the table following the final round of fixtures on Sunday, exchanging places with Fulham.
It has been a disappointing end, but ultimately Wolves achieved what they set out to do after Julen Lopetegui left, which was survive relegation.
There were some big contributions to Wolves’ season. Mario Lemina was named Supporters’ Player of the Season, and Nelson Semedo was the Players’ Player.
Pedro Neto once again lit games up with his amazing pace, dribbling and eye for an assist, while Matheus Cunha became one of the team’s most important players.
It was also a very strong season for Hwang Hee-chan, who has today been revealed as the fourth most improved player in the Premier League…
Wolves star Hwang Hee-chan comes fourth in most improved Premier League player list
Last season, Hwang did not set the world alight.
Under Bruno Lage he was really average. Lopetegui then came in after a caretaker stint from Steve Davis, and Hwang’s form did pick up a bit.
But by the end of the season, most Wolves fans weren’t blown away by the South Korean, and few would probably have had any problems if he was sold.
But in 2023/24, Hwang reached new levels under O’Neil. The former RB Leipzig man thrived in the new manager’s system and linked up extremely well with Neto and Cunha in attack.
Hwang finished the campaign with 13 goals to his name across all competitions – the season before, he managed just four.
Hwang may well have added a few more to his tally in 2023/24 had he been able to stay fit all the way though. Unfortunately, he picked up a hamstring injury that put him out for a month, and he then had to regain his match sharpness upon returning.
And just before that, he had gone to the Asian Cup with South Korea, meaning more games missed for Wolves.
But £70,000-a-week ace Hwang did really well for Wolves when he played, and today, respected football statistic site WhoScored revealed him as the player in fourth place on their list of most improved players in the Premier League.
His average rating has gone up +0.48 from last season. Only Anthony Gordon, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Conor Gallagher have greater increases.
A superb campaign from Hwang
Hwang – who was rewarded with a new contract by Wolves in December – can be delighted with his 2023/24 season, and it was great to see him become one of the team’s most important players.
The jury was definitely still out on the 28-year-old after his first couple of seasons at Molineux. But he’s been brilliant under O’Neil, who clearly loves what he brings to the team. Indeed, he called him ‘excellent’ and ‘really intelligent’ back in October.
Not only is Hwang a goal threat and arguably the most clinical finisher at the club at the moment, he also works his socks off every game. You constantly see him pressing and running the channels, making him very easy to root for.
Next season, Hwang should be aiming to try and score more than the 13 he managed in 2023/24. Key to this will be staying fit, something he’s had issues with since joining the club.