Wolverhampton Wanderers won a critical Premier League match against Bournemouth over the weekend, and Gary O’Neil is finally leading the team to stability.
They have not lost in the Premier League since a 3-1 victory over Liverpool in September, and the atmosphere at Molineux is upbeat for the first time following a couple of tumultuous seasons.
The Old Gold might hope for a top-half finish with some more outstanding performances and a bit of luck, and O’Neil must return to the transfer market in January to potentially renew a move for Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill.
Could Wolves sign Josh Brownhill?
According to TEAMtalk, the Molineux club made an approach for the 27-year-old in August as they sought to strengthen their midfield options.
The £45k-per-week star’s contract will expire at the end of the season, which may encourage O’Neil to make a more serious move for the player when the winter transfer market opens.
He may either sign the midfielder on a free transfer next summer or grab him for a bargain price due to his contract situation, and it is a decision the former Bournemouth manager must make.
How good is Josh Brownhill?
Brownhill has made 141 appearances for Burnley since signing in 2020, and he was instrumental in the club’s Championship victory last season, scoring seven goals and providing eight assists.
He has only scored once this season, but O’Neil might sign his own James Ward-Prowse if he can persuade Brownhill to join Wolves.
The two have comparable statistics, and the former Southampton player has had a fantastic start to life at West Ham United.
The 28-year-old has scored twice and provided six assists in ten appearances for the Hammers, and he appears like he could be one of David Moyes’ best signings ever.
According to FBref, Ward-Prowse ranks as the second most similar player to Brownhill. Given Ward-Prowse’s impressive track record at the top level in recent years, this comparison is certainly noteworthy.
Their statistics align quite closely, particularly in metrics such as shots per 90 (1.4 compared to 1.58), shot-creating actions per 90 (4.01 versus 3.94), tackles won (nine to six), and touches in the attacking third (136 compared to 179). These figures suggest that both players share a propensity for generating opportunities for their teammates and frequently pushing forward.
Back in 2022, one of Brownhill’s teammates, Jack Cork, praised him as “brilliant.” While Brownhill may not have replicated his goal-scoring success from the previous season, a fresh start could potentially rekindle his form.
Wolves faced significant losses with the departures of Ruben Neves and Matheus Nunes during the summer transfer window. While the club made a substantial profit from these sales, they now have considerable gaps to fill in their midfield.
Although Brownhill may not directly replace Neves or Nunes, his resemblance to Ward-Prowse makes him a promising fit for O’Neil’s project in the Midlands. Brownhill’s contract situation at Turf Moor could create an opportunity for a move at the beginning of the next year. Wolves should consider capitalizing on this to bolster their midfield with an attacking threat, similar to how West Ham acquired talent from Southampton this summer.
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