Wolves reporter Liam Keen has been discussing the impact that Luke Cundle had on the club and their plans in the January transfer window.
Cundle is someone that has slowly but surely been breaking his way into the Wolves side this season.
Having been on the bench a few times in 2020/21, he’s managed to become a regular on the bench this season whilst also making a few cameo appearances, and even starting their most recent Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur.
Cundle’s position in central midfield is an area that Wolves aren’t exactly well-stocked right now, and one that Wolves arguably should have added to in the January transfer window.
Speaking on the latest edition of the E&S Wolves podcast, Keen explained why the club didn’t feel the need to bring in anyone in January, hinting that the development of the 19-year-old played a very big part in the club’s decision-making.
He said: “Well, [Bruno Lage] certainly will have wanted additions and they’ve got to weigh up bringing through a player and bringing in a player that is going to sit on the bench and not do much.
“For me, as far as I understand it, Cundle was a part of the decision [not to buy], but, for me, the crux really was Moutinho and Neves doing so well this year that if they’re gonna bring anyone in, it has to be someone that’s going to come straight into the starting XI, and are they going to get anyone in January for a deal that financially makes sense that is going to be better than them?
“And also, you’ve then got the problem of disrupting that partnership and taking one of them out.
“That, alongside disrupting bringing Cundle through and having a player that’s going to sit on the bench and probably be unhappy – all those factors together really stopping Wolves bringing the player in.”
TIF Thoughts on Liam Keen’s comments about Luke Cundle and Wolves…
Is Cundle ready for the first team?
Yes
No
This is a decision that makes sense on Wolves’ part. As Keen hints at, they essentially didn’t want to bring in yet another midfielder that could get in Cundle’s way when he is only now just starting to make his way into the first team.
Bringing in another midfielder and then dropping Cundle back down to the academy would be so detrimental to his development if that player was getting the minutes instead of him, and clearly, Wolves would rather look after one of their own than needlessly go and spend the money to bring someone in.
Having made that decision for his benefit, it will be interesting to see how they utilise him throughout the rest of the year, and whether we’ll start to see Cundle play a more prominent role moving forward.
In other news: Pay up, Fosun: Reported Wolves target is estimated to hold a value of as much as £58m