Wolverhampton Wanderers return to action in the Premier League on Monday night after an extended break from action after their loss to Liverpool in the FA Cup ten days ago.
The Old Gold have only lost one of their last five matches in the Premier League, winning their last two against Liverpool and Aston Villa at the Molineux.
They now travel away from home to face Brentford as they continue to look for a strong end to the season before their relegation to the Championship is confirmed.
Rob Edwards will want to keep spirits as high as possible to bring some positive momentum into the 2026/27 campaign, even if the current season ends in relegation.
In order to get a result against Brentford on Monday, the former Wales international should make some changes from the team that lost 3-1 to Liverpool, including dropping Jackson Tchatchoua.
Why Jackson Tchatchoua must be dropped
The Cameroon international has been a fairly regular starter for Wolves in the Premier League this season, starting 16 of his 27 appearances, but he should be dropped by Edwards for this clash.
Tchatchoua started at right wing-back in the FA Cup clash with Liverpool last time out and endured a torrid evening against the Premier League champions, as he was caught out for the first two goals.
He was too slow to get out and close down Andy Robertson for the opening goal for the Reds, before also being too slow to get out to the Scottish full-back for the cross for Mohamed Salah’s goal.
On top of his defensive struggles, the 24-year-old flop has rarely offered much in the way of quality at the top end of the pitch, with zero goals and one assist in his 27 appearances in the Premier League this season.
With that in mind, Edwards must finally drop the struggling defender from the starting line-up for this clash with Brentford, in order to open the door for another player to come in.
The Wolves star who can be their new Pedro Neto
The Welsh head coach could unleash the club’s new Pedro Neto, who scored 14 goals and provided 21 assists in 135 matches for Wolves before his £53.1m move to Chelsea.
Neto was exciting, and sometimes infuriating, to watch because he offered rapid pace, direct play, and a spark at the top end of the pitch, from a right wing or left wing position.
Now, Edwards can unleash his own version of the Chelsea attacker by dropping Tchatchoua to play Rodrigo Gomes down the right flank, as he has shown signs of real quality this season.
Despite not starting a match since February, the 22-year-old wing wizard has scored in each of his last two appearances in the Premier League, scoring in the wins over both Liverpool and Aston Villa.
Gomes came off the bench in both of those matches to secure all three points for the Old Gold, and should now be given an opportunity to play from the start against Brentford.
Only Jorgen Strand Larsen (six) has scored more goals in all competitions for Wolves than Gomes (five) this season, and he left to join Crystal Palace in the winter window, which means that the Portuguese winger has the chance to end the campaign as the club’s top scorer.
Like Neto, the former Braga forward is a strong runner who can carry the team up the pitch, whilst also carrying a threat in the final third for Wolves.
|
25/26 PL |
Rodrigo Gomes per 90 |
Rank vs WBs |
|---|---|---|
|
xG |
0.26 |
Top 28% |
|
Shots |
2.10 |
Top 33% |
|
Shots on target |
0.90 |
Top 18% |
|
Headed shots |
0.30 |
Top 25% |
|
Goals |
0.45 |
Top 7% |
He ranks among the best wing-backs in the division this season when it comes to offering a threat as a goalscorer in the Premier League, which is impressive considering the club’s position in the table, with 16 points on the board after 30 games.
Gomes has real potential to become Wolves’ next Neto if he is given a run of starts to showcase his quality on the pitch, which is why Edwards must drop Tchatchoua to unleash him down the right against Brentford on Monday night.
Edwards can drop Angel Gomes by unleashing Wolves star in new position
Rob Edwards could spring a Wolverhampton Wanderers surprise by starting this Old Gold star in a new position against Brentford.