Wolves are set to have an odd starting XI in a few years according to Football Manager 2024, with current outcasts returning to the fold.
With every summer transfer window, change is always expected. The Molineux faithful have already seen a new addition this month after Rodrigo Gomes joined from Braga.
Over the coming weeks, more players are expected to join and depart Wolves’ first team as Gary O’Neil shapes his squad.
However, one thing that is always hard to predict is what the squad will look like in the future. To try and answer this question, Molineux News has turned to the simulation game Football Manager 2024 to see how they believe Wolves will line up in the 2026/27 campaign.
In this season, the Old Gold side are set to embark on their second year back in the Championship under the guidance of current Slovan Bratislava manager Vladimir Weiss.
Below is what the AI believes Wolves’ starting XI will look like three years from now.
GK – Bart Verbruggen
Wolves finally replaced Jose Sa in goal in the 2025/26 season. The Dutch goalkeeper was brought off Brighton for £21.5 million and has remained as the Old Gold’s number one ever since.
RB – Nelson Semedo
Perhaps surprisingly keeping his place in the team, Nelson Semedo’s future at Wolves has been subjected to much speculation in real life. However, on Football Manager 2024, he has consistently remained in the starting XI.
CB – Max Kilman
The first centre-back in the side is current captain Max Kilman. The former Futsal player was unable to keep Wolves in the Premier League but didn’t jump ship after their relegation. It remains to be seen if Kilman stays at Wolves in real life with West Ham interested in the defender.
CB – Mark McGuinness
Partnering Kilman at the back is current Cardiff City defender Mark McGuiness. The Irishman joined the Old Gold during the 2025/26 season for £13 million after a good season at the Blue Birds. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to continue this form at Molineux in his first year.
LB – Guilherme Arana
On the left side of the field is another new player, Guilherme Arana. The Brazilian left-back currently plays for Atletico Mineiro in his home country and signed for Wolves for £8.5 million in 2025/26.
RM – Said Benrahma
The Lyon winger finally joined Wolves in the 2025/26 season. Said Benrahma has previously been linked to Wolves and they got their man for £8 million. However, in his first year, he struggled to make an impact.
CM – Jean-Ricner Bellegarde
Staying in the Wolves XI is Jean-Ricner Bellegarde. The Frenchman has only just joined the Molineux side in real life but didn’t set the world alight in his first year. However, Football Manager believes that he still has a big part to play for the club in the future.
CM – Joao Gomes
Another highly surprising inclusion. Wolves have managed to hold onto one of their most prized assets all the way to the 2026/27 campaign. Joao Gomes has regularly been linked away from Wolves in real life. However, the simulation can see him staying at Molineux long-term.
LM – Hwang Hee-Chan
Out on the left wing is fan favourite Hwang Hee-Chan. Like many in this XI, the South Korean international decided to stay at the club despite their relegation, aiming to return to the Premier League as soon as possible.
ST – Asier Villalibre
The first of the striker duo up top is Asier Villalibre. The Athletic Club striker earned a move to Wolves for £22.5 million in the 2026/27 campaign after a highly successful year. It remains to be seen if he can replicate this form.
ST – Fabio Silva
The final and most astonishing player on this list, somehow Fabio Silva has not only stayed at Wolves but worked his way back into the starting XI. However, this looks extremely unlikely to happen in real life with Silva likely to leave Molineux this summer.