Gary O’Neil is tasked with assessing the Wolves players returning from 2023/24 loans, with one talent now likened to a Champions League winner.
It’s been a fast start to the transfer window at Molineux, as Wolves have welcomed two signings with another set to arrive soon.
The Old Gold’s business started with Tommy Doyle, who made his loan move from Manchester City permanent, followed by the capture of Braga starlet Rodrigo Gomes.
Pedro Lima is poised to become the third summer arrival, giving Gary O’Neil added options ahead of next season.
On top of new arrivals, the Wolves boss will sieve through the 15 returning loan players who spent 2023/24 away from Molineux, with one star’s chances now assessed.
Wolves now told that Ki-Jana Hoever is like Trent Alexander-Arnold
One of the talents who was on loan last term was Ki-Jana Hoever, who spent a second spell at Stoke City in the Championship.
The right-back spent the first half of 2022/23 on loan at PSV however, returned to Wolves in January before heading back out on loan to Stoke, where he remained for 2023/24.
Hoever made 44 appearances for the Potters last season, excelling in some fixtures to generate attention for his exciting wing play on the right side.
Having now returned to Wolves, the Dutchman will be assessed by O’Neil, who has been provided some insight into the player by journalist Pete Smith.
The Stoke Sentinel reporter sat down with Express and Star to share his verdict on Hoever, forming an interesting comparison between the 22-year-old and a Premier League star.
“It is difficult to talk about the ceiling of Hoever’s potential with certainty. When he’s playing with confidence you think he can be a star. He knows he still needs to prove he can go for long periods without making mistakes too.
“It’s a similar debate to Trent Alexander Arnold although obviously Hoever has been playing in the Championship rather than the Champions League.”
Hoever’s future at Wolves is unlikely
While the right-back has shown the levels he can operate at, Smith highlighted one critical stumbling block that could prevent him from fulfilling his potential at Wolves.
Being a player whose progressive play is impressive but can be defensively fragile is a problem, particularly when revising Wolves’ current options in his position.
Already this summer, O’Neil has hired two players capable of playing in the 22-year-old’s role, with Pedro Lima an exciting young right-back and Gomes capable of playing right-wing-back.
The new arrivals could battle Nelson Semedo and Matt Doherty for a spot in the side, leaving Hoever’s chances incredibly slim as he returns from the Championship.