Which players should Wolves build next season's squad around?

The comeback draw over Arsenal, alongside Wolves' favourable fixture list in the remaining games, are also reasons for some to be hopeful, but the reality is that it would take a monumental effort and a total collapse from the teams above them to achieve survival at this stage.

Wolves are set for a huge summer rebuild with a high turnover of players, but which players should Wolves build their team around next season in the Championship?

Rodrigo Gomes

The versatile 22-year-old has had plenty of attention of late after scoring in both wins over Villa and Liverpool at Molineux.

But even before that, despite his nasty groin injury this season, R.Gomes has proved to be a very capable footballer at this level.

He can play on either flank, at both wing-back and as a forward, and offers plenty of attacking flair and threat with his pace and unrelenting enthusiasm.

His eye for a goal has seen him score five this season in all competitions, despite having injury issues and often playing at wing-back.

R.Gomes is in an unusual position in his career, too. By the summer he will have had two seasons in the Premier League but he is arguably not quite ready to start for another club in the top flight.

There are some clubs showing interest in him, however, as a potential squad player for next season.

Wolves would be wise to ensure that he is one of the players that they build the squad around in the Championship, as a regular starter, and if Rob Edwards changes to a back four then R.Gomes should be one of the club's main attackers.

Mateus Mane

Another player who is attracting plenty of interest from other clubs is teenage sensation Mane.

The 18-year-old has broken through as a first team regular and scored two goals alongside some stand-out performances.

Another player who is versatile, Mane can play in a midfield three, out wide or as a more central attacker and has proven himself as a player at this level.

However, considering he is in the early stages of his career and is under contract at Wolves until 2029, they could be in a strong position to keep him.

Wolves would also like to give him a new deal and success next season could be aided by keeping Mane at the club and giving him a prominent role in the team.

For many of these players, however, if Wolves do manage to keep hold of them, the club will likely need to get promoted at the first attempt to keep hold of them for longer.

Jean-Ricner Bellegarde

Bellegarde has had an up and down Wolves career since arriving in 2023, with long spells of bad form mixed with good moments.

He has found a home in a more central position under Edwards and is having much more of an impact on games.

As an option for next season, Wolves could do far worse. Bellegarde is very good at carrying the ball forward from deep, he can play a few different midfield positions and can also play out wide if necessary, although he has struggled there at times in the Premier League.

The 27-year-old does need to improve his numbers though, having managed just one goal and zero assists in 21 Premier League games. In his overall Wolves career, he has scored just five times and assisted eight in 91 matches.

There will be a market for Bellegarde in France if he wants a move, but Edwards may see him as a player to help fire Wolves back to the top flight.

Defenders

Wolves have very clearly not been good enough in all departments this season, but with the three centre-backs that Edwards has settled on, he has found some success.

All three of them could do a job in the Championship, but Wolves may face a battle to keep them.

Yerson Mosquera is erratic and emotional at times, but also plays with remarkable enthusiasm and has clear talent on his side. 

There will be a market in Spain for him after his impressive loan spell at Villarreal in 2024, but it remains to be seen if a Spanish side, or any other club, would pay the necessary money to sign him.

If the player is not prepared to drop to the second tier, he may be one that leaves on loan.

Santi Bueno has impressed many with his consistency of late but will also have suitors in European football.

Meanwhile, Ladislav Krejci will technically become a permanent signing this summer in a deal totalling £26million after his initial loan.

Despite his solid start to life in England, it feels unlikely that a club would pay enough for Wolves to sanction a sale.

If a loan does not materialise, he could be key to Wolves' revival and could also be the next club captain. 

It is a big ask, but if Wolves can keep all three, then they will have made an excellent start to rebuilding the squad for a Championship promotion push.

On the topic of defenders, left-wing-back Hugo Bueno would be the best in his position in the Championship if Wolves could keep him, but clubs are already circling for his signature.