The prospect of Gary O’Neil parting ways with Nelson Semedo to harness the potential of the “sensational” Ki-Jana Hoever for the 2024/25 season is intriguing.
Hoever’s impressive loan spell at Stoke City suggests he could be a significant asset, especially in light of Semedo’s performance. This strategic move could provide Wolves with a dynamic and promising right-back option moving forward.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have the opportunity to finish their season on a high note by securing victories against Crystal Palace and Liverpool. While this might not guarantee a top-half finish in the Premier League, it suggests that Gary O’Neil is the right leader to usher the Old Gold into a promising new era.
As the summer transfer window approaches, could the manager consider offloading some players to generate funds for potential signings?
O’Neil may opt to sell a few players to bolster the budget, and there’s speculation that Nelson Semedo could be among the first to leave.
Semedo has played a more advanced role this season in O’Neil’s preferred 3-5-2 formation and has only missed one Premier League match, against Arsenal. Despite his consistent presence, he has contributed just two goals across 39 appearances in all competitions. His deployment as a right midfielder suggests limited effectiveness in that position.
With just one year left on his current deal, the Molineux side could certainly cash in on him this summer as it represents their last real chance to bank a decent transfer fee for him – as journalist Liam Keen has recently suggested.
The insider’s discussion suggests that both Nelson Semedo and Pablo Sarabia could potentially seek moves to clubs offering substantial contracts, especially Semedo, who might be looking at a ‘last big move’ scenario given his age. This move could benefit all parties involved, with Semedo potentially securing a three-year deal at a club offering good financial terms.
The positive aspect for Wolves is that they have Ki-Jana Hoever, currently on loan, who has impressed with his performances. Signed in 2020 from Liverpool, Hoever had limited appearances for Wolves before going out on loan to PSV Eindhoven and then Stoke City, where he had a standout season in 2023/24.
Jurgen Klopp had previously praised Hoever as “sensational,” and although it took some time for him to establish himself, his loan spell at Stoke City showcased his potential. This situation presents an opportunity for Wolves to potentially rely on Hoever as a replacement for Semedo without having to make a significant investment in a new player.
Ki-Jana Hoever’s impressive statistics from his loan spell at Stoke City highlight his potential as a successor to Nelson Semedo at Wolves. In 44 matches across all competitions, the 22-year-old scored four goals and provided five assists, primarily from the right-back position, showcasing his attacking prowess from defense.
Additionally, Hoever created six big chances and averaged 0.9 key passes per game in the Championship, demonstrating his ability to create goal-scoring opportunities. He also succeeded in 55% of his dribble attempts, further emphasizing his attacking threat.
Considering Semedo’s comparatively underwhelming attacking stats this season, Hoever’s loan success suggests that he could be a suitable replacement. Despite not getting many opportunities at Wolves previously, O’Neil could potentially integrate him as the starting right-back for the upcoming 2024/25 season based on his impressive loan performances.