Why Wolverhampton Wanderers should definitely bring back Barry Douglas
Wolverhampton Wanderers succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Cardiff City in the Premier League this weekend. The Wolves are now on the back of two consecutive losses for the first time this season and are going to need to make amends.
They have otherwise made a superb start to life in the Premier League and are very much in contention for a top-10 finish this season. Nuno Espirito Santo has done a splendid job since coming into the club. The manager did bring in a couple of new signings but he is surely going to need more as they enter the hectic winter schedule.
Wolverhampton Wanderers sold left-back Barry Douglas to Leeds United in the summer for a fee of around £3million. The Peacocks signed the full-back on a three-year deal and he has looked good for them this season. (Skysports)
But why Wolves sold one of their top stars from their title-winning campaign is a question in everyone’s minds. Nuno Espirito Santo did bring in Jonny Castro Otto on a season-long loan from Spanish outfit Atletico Madrid but he is now injured and will be out for a while.
The manager does have Ruben Vinagre as cover but given that Jonny will leave at the end of the season, Nuno Espirito Santo should aim to re-sign Barry Douglas. The 29-year-old is a very experienced full-back who possesses powerful qualities to thrive under Espirito Santo. He picked up the most number of assists for Wolves, playing at left-back last season.
The Scottish international hasn’t been in explosive form for Marcelo Bielsa’s side this season but he has looked good. Douglas has picked up 3 assists in 15 league appearances for the Peacocks this season. He has looked defensively very strong as well. (Stats courtesy – Whoscored)
Douglas has averaged 2.9 tackles and 2.3 clearances per game this season. Those are very impressive numbers from the Scottish full-back. He is also brilliant going forward and whips dangerous crosses into the box.
For a full-back, Douglas is very dominant in the air. He has won a total of 2.3 aerial duels per game this season. (Stats courtesy – Whoscored)
Read more: Wolves completing this £4.5m loan deal would surely propel them to a top-10 finish
Wolves have definitely made a mistake offloading Barry Douglas in the summer. He is a perfect fit for the manager’s 3-4-3 formation used this season. The Wanderers should definitely aim to sign the full-back in January but it will be difficult given Leeds United are very much in contention to get promoted to the Premier League next season.