Wolverhampton Wanderers lost to relegation-threatened Watford on New Year’s Day in a very costly defeat for the Premier League’s seventh-place side. It means that Nuno Santo’s side have now recorded back to back defeats for only the second time this season as they missed the opportunity to go within three points of the Champions League places and up to fifth in the table.
Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur above them all failed to record a win on New Year’s Day and Wolves will not get a better opportunity to join Europe’s elite in gaining entry to the Champions League; so they must learn from the Watford defeat not to squander their chances.
After a terrible start to the campaign which left Santo’s side 19th after six-match weeks and without a win, Wolves now find themselves on the cusp of entering the Champions League for the first time. This season, they have two routes into the competition after progressing from the Europa League group stage, and unlike Arsenal last term they must make it count. Santo is proving that his squad is just about large enough to compete on both fronts but qualifying for the Champions League is the next box on the list to tick in Wolves’ mission for Premier League and European supremacy.
There is no better way to increase revenue and attract more high-profile players than qualifying for UEFA’s premier competition, and you only have to look at how much Leicester City have transformed since their inclusion as evidence. After qualifying for the Europa League last term Wolves were able to secure some of their big-name loans permanently such as Raul Jimenez for £34.2m, along with Leander Dendoncker.
While Wolves are on course to qualify for the Europa League again this season, providing the clubs above them win the FA and League Cup’s, it is difficult to imagine them getting a better crack at fourth spot. Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham may all look to strengthen next summer and are currently floundering with regards to results and Wolves cannot afford more losses to sides such as Watford if they’re to capitalise on the turbulence above them.
