Why Britt Assombalonga Would Be A Great Signing For Wolves
Wolves had another disappointing campaign last season in the Championship under Paul Lambert and, given the size and scope of the club, supporters go into most seasons believing that they should challenge for the play-off places as a minimum.
They arguably haven’t done too much wrong defensively, though I know plenty will disagree with that. Nobody in the whole division makes more clearances than centre-back Danny Batth and in Conor Coady, they have converted an average midfielder into a good attacking right-back. For me though, their problems are up front.
Helder Costa was excellent last season on the wing and looks set to carry on his good form next season under their new Portuguese coach. He is one of the several talented players Wolves have in wider and deeper positions. But to get something tangible out of a Championship season, they will certainly need a proper goal scorer.
Andreas Weimann managed just 2 goals in 19 games which is a dreadfully disappointing return from the Austrian. He would argue that he is not a no.9 though and a high goals-to-games ratio should not be expected. Nouha Dicko has fared little better and so the options have been severely limited.
In Britt Assombalonga though, they would get a proven goal scorer. In 69 games in this division for Watford and Nottingham Forest, the Congolese striker has netted 30 times, which is a more than reasonable strike rate for a no.9. In truth, he is still improving, which, for some reason, is a fact going over most people’s heads.
In his three years at Nottingham Forest, Assombalonga has scored all of his 30 goals in 65 games and that includes a long stretch of days out the team through injury. The 24-year-old is barely starting his career in the Championship and is a player who could very conceivably pass 20 league goals next season if given the chance.
If former Rangers boss Mark Warburton does indeed let Assombalonga go without a fight, Wolverhampton Wanderers simply cannot afford to pass up on such quality. The sort of supply coming in from the likes of Costa on the wings may genuinely not be bettered by many teams in this division next season. So having a proper finisher in the team to take advantage of this could just be the missing piece in Wolves’ puzzle.