Value has risen 230,000%: Wolves have the new Ait-Nouri in “exciting” star

da lvbet: Wolves have endured a tough start to the campaign, losing five of their opening six Premier League games.

da brdice: A 1-1 draw with Spurs on Saturday offered some encouragement, though it was bittersweet given they led until a 94th-minute equaliser from Joao Palhinha.

The result still leaves them bottom of the table with a goal difference of -9. Cup competitions have provided some relief.

They beat Everton in the Carabao Cup third round and now face Chelsea at home for a chance to reach the quarter-finals.

But the domestic reality is clear: Wolves desperately need to rediscover consistency and firepower. Their attack has been blunt, generating the fourth-worst xG in the division – ahead of only Newcastle, Aston Villa and Burnley.

This summer also brought significant upheaval. Wolves sold Matheus Cunha to Arsenal for £62.5m and their dynamic left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri to Manchester City for £36m.

While those exits weakened the squad, they managed to keep Jørgen Strand Larsen, responsible for 22% of Wolves’ goals last season.

Newcastle had multiple bids rejected, including one worth £55m, before the Norwegian signed a new deal until 2030.

Alongside Larsen, Wolves added Tolu Arokodare, Ladislav Krejci, and John Arias.

Yet one of their most important figures this season could be found at left-back – a position vacated by Ait-Nouri.

The blow of losing Rayan Ait-Nouri

Ait-Nouri had become a fan favourite at Molineux since his arrival from Angers in 2021.

Over three seasons, he made 157 appearances, contributing 12 goals and 19 assists.

Renowned for his energy and ability to carry the ball upfield, he was as dangerous in attack as he was valuable in defence.

At just 24 years old, Ait-Nouri had already developed into one of the most exciting left-backs in the Premier League.

His progress earned him a £36m move to Manchester City in the summer, though an ankle injury has sidelined him until mid-October.

Internationally, he represented France at youth level before committing to Algeria, making 18 senior appearances since 2023.

Statistically, Ait-Nouri offered a strong all-round package.

Last season, he averaged 2.58 tackles per 90, 1.22 blocks per 90, and 2.63 shot-creating actions per 90.

Those numbers highlighted his mix of defensive solidity and attacking thrust.

Wolves’ challenge was always going to be finding someone capable of stepping into his shoes – a daunting task given his influence at both ends of the pitch.

How Wolves have found the new Ait-Nouri

Enter Hugo Bueno.

Signed from a Spanish youth side for just £3k, he now finds himself valued at £7m, as per Transfermarkt —a staggering rise of around 233,000%.

At 23 years old, Bueno has been gradually integrated into the Wolves first team, making 57 appearances to date, including six Premier League starts this season and two Carabao Cup outings.

A Spanish youth international, Bueno made his U21 debut in September 2023.

He also gained valuable experience on loan at Feyenoord, where he featured in the Champions League.

Hugo Bueno for Feyenoord.

His rapid development has been crucial for Wolves this season, especially after Ait-Nouri’s departure.

On the pitch, this “exciting” talent, as described by Matt Hobbs, has shown he is more than capable of filling the void, with the pair noted as statistically similar players among those in their position in Europe, as per FBref.

The stats underline his progress.

Hugo Bueno – 2024/25

Matches Played

20

Minutes

1,197

Tackles

9

Blocks

11

Interceptions

11

Source: FBref

Last campaign, Bueno registered three goal involvements compared to Ait-Nouri’s 11.

Where he really stands out is in ball progression: he averages 4.59 progressive carries per 90 (to Ait-Nouri’s 2.58) and 3.61 progressive passes per 90 (versus 3.13).

His 85.7% pass completion rate also edges Ait-Nouri’s 84.2%. Defensively, Bueno is still finding his feet.

He averages 1.35 tackles per 90 compared to Ait-Nouri’s 2.58, and his 0.83 blocks per 90 are also slightly lower. But his attacking profile makes him a dynamic presence.

He creates 2.56 shot-creating actions per 90, almost on par with Ait-Nouri’s 2.63, showing his ability to contribute in the final third.

Wolves’ season will depend on more than just their left-back, but the emergence of Bueno has softened the blow of losing Ait-Nouri.

For a player signed for a nominal fee, he represents one of the best bargains in the Premier League – a reminder that sometimes the best solutions can come from within.

If Wolves are to climb off the bottom and restore their competitive edge, Hugo Bueno may just be the man to help lead them forward.

Você pode gostar...


Game
Register
Service
Bonus