Why Wolves Must Hold onto Aït-Nouri
The Wolves definitely had an up-and-down season, but their recent strong form could set them up for a solid 14th-place finish. With key wins late in the campaign, this team looks vastly different from the one that stumbled at the start. However, staying in the Premier League for another year brings both great challenges and great responsibilities. As the club looks ahead, few players will be more important to that journey than Rayan Aït-Nouri. The Algerian has become a vital piece of the squad, and holding onto him this summer could be the difference between pushing toward the top of the Premier League or slipping down toward the Championship.
This season saw Aït-Nouri take a massive step forward. He currently leads the team with seven assists, proving why he is so key to the Wolves and their success. He also ranks third on the squad in both shots with 35 and tackles with 85. Aït-Nouri is a special player in today's world because he is an all-around force. He can score, create, and isn’t afraid to get physical when defending. His improvement in decision-making, positioning, and work rate shows a player not just with raw talent but with the mindset to keep growing. At just 23, his ceiling is sky-high, and Wolves can’t afford to lose a player hitting his stride.
Newly appointed head coach Vítor Pereira made his stance clear during a recent press conference: Wolves want to keep their best players, and Aït-Nouri is at the top of that list. “If you were in my position, would you want to keep him or not?” Pereira asked reporters. “Me too. He’s a top player and we want to keep our best players.” Aït-Nouri is vital to the club’s plans moving forward. Pereira also stressed the importance of continuity, adding, “The target is to keep our best players and to bring in not too many players because then we would have to start again.” In other words, losing Aït-Nouri wouldn’t just weaken the squad.
With so much uncertainty already surrounding the squad, holding onto core players like Aït-Nouri becomes even more critical. Wolves have already undergone major change with the departure of former head coach Gary O’Neil, and star forward Matheus Cunha is expected to leave this summer. Also, Wolves will have to end up selling either José Sá or Sam Johnstone. Having two goalkeepers of similar quality and experience isn’t what the squad needs right now, especially with other areas demanding more attention. The club has done well to keep hold of Jørgen Strand Larsen and begin reinforcing the defense, but attacking depth remains a concern. If Wolves want to make the most of Aït-Nouri’s creativity and forward runs, they’ll need another strong, consistent presence up top. Without that, much of Aït-Nouri’s brilliance in the final third risks going to waste.
Keeping Rayan Aït-Nouri should be a top priority for Wolves. He represents not only the present quality of the squad but also the future potential the club can build around. Letting him go now would send the wrong message and risk undoing the progress made at the end of the season. If Wolves are serious about climbing the Premier League table, Aït-Nouri needs to be part of that journey.
