Wolverhampton Wanderers have had a busy summer time, bringing in 5 gamers up to now, as they appear to construct on a formidable 14th-place end final season, ending 20 factors above 18th-place Luton who had been relegated. They’re additionally near confirming the signing of Brazilian midfielder Andre from Fluminense.
With the switch window shutting in a matter of hours, the Outdated Gold would possibly properly look so as to add one other signing to their squad. Just lately, they’ve been linked with one defender who might add expertise and high quality to a backline which has been depleted this summer time.
Wolves goal Premier League defender
The participant in query right here is West Ham United and Morocco centre-back Nayef Aguerd. In line with a report from Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian, the Molineux membership are ‘serious about signing’ the 28-year-old earlier than the deadline on Friday night.
The Hammers quantity 27 is believed to be ‘out of favour on the London Stadium’ forward of the 2024/25 season beneath new boss Julen Lopetegui. Wolves, who’re focusing on defensive reinforcements after promoting captain Max Kilman to the East London outfit for £40m, need to signal him on a mortgage deal this summer time.
Why Aguerd can be a superb signing
Final season beneath David Moyes, the Morocco worldwide had a sparse position to play on the London Stadium. He performed simply 28 video games in all competitions, which included 21 video games within the prime flight of English soccer.
Nonetheless, on the again finish of the season, the 28-year-old didn’t have as a lot involvement as he did firstly of the marketing campaign. Aguerd was not a part of the West Ham squad for the ultimate 5 video games of the Premier League season.
Ought to the Outdated Gold get a deal for the Moroccon over the road this summer time, they might properly be signing a hybrid of former skipper Kilman, and 34-year-old Wolves defender Craig Dawson, who has additionally frolicked enjoying on the London Stadium.
In line with FBref, the West Ham defender is just like each defenders, and it definitely rings true when evaluating the stats of the trio. Like Kilman and Dawson, the West Ham quantity 27 is an excellent field defender.
Per 90 minutes as per FBref, Aguerd averages 2.09 tackles and interceptions per recreation, in comparison with 1.88 for Wolves’ 34-year-old defender, and the brand new West Ham centre-back who averages 2.26. Standing at 6 foot 2, the Moroccan is definitely an imposing determine and wins a median of two.33 aerial duels per recreation. In distinction, Kilman wins simply 2.26 per recreation, however Dawson does prepared the ground with 2.57.
|
Aguerd, Kilman and Dawson defensive stats |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Stat (per 90) |
Aguerd |
Kilman |
Dawson |
|
Tackles and interceptions |
2.09 |
2.26 |
1.88 |
|
Aerial duels gained |
2.33 |
2.26 |
2.57 |
|
Aerial duel win % |
60% |
70.5% |
66.3% |
|
Clearances |
4.13 |
4.79 |
4.9 |
|
Ball recoveries |
4.95 |
4.66 |
4.08 |
|
Stats from FBref |
|||
The 28-year-old was described as a “celebrity” by one journalist following the World Cup in Qatar and that definitely rings true when trying on the stats, which completely reveal the wonderful field defender he’s.
There is no such thing as a doubt that Aguerd is out of favour on the London Stadium this summer time, and with Wolves looking for reinforcements on the again, it might present the dream resolution for each events.
The Outdated Gold can recruit a prime Premier League centre-back to assist with depth and high quality on the again – even after bringing in 18-year-old Bastien Meupiyou from Nantes – while the Moroccan will get common minutes within the prime flight.
