Wolves suffered a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Ligue 1 side RC Lens in their latest pre-season friendly at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium last night. The match, which served as a crucial test ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League season, exposed ongoing concerns about Wolves’ squad depth, raising alarm bells among fans and analysts alike as the new campaign looms.
Match Recap: A Tale of Two Halves
The game began with Wolves showing promise, pressing high and creating early opportunities through the flanks. Ki-Jana Hoever and Hugo Bueno were lively, with Jean-Ricner Bellegarde’s free-kick causing problems for Lens’ defence. A clever move involving Jorgen Strand Larsen and Fer Lopez highlighted Wolves’ attacking intent, though Larsen’s shot sailed over the bar. Despite a goalless first half, Wolves looked competitive, matching Lens’ intensity in a tightly contested opening 45 minutes.
The second half, however, told a different story. Lens capitalized on Wolves’ defensive frailties, with Wesley Said opening the scoring on the hour mark after beating his marker at the near post. Deiver Machado doubled Lens’ lead with a powerful long-range strike, and despite a brief glimmer of hope from Goncalo Guedes’ well-taken goal in the 81st minute, Machado’s second goal just two minutes later sealed a 3-1 victory for the French side. Wolves’ inability to maintain momentum and create clear-cut chances after the break underscored deeper issues within the squad.
FT Wolves 1 Lens 3
— Nathan Judah (@NathanJudah) July 30, 2025
Ref gave 1 sec of injury time & that was 1 second more than anyone wanted to see
Munetsi & Chirewa ended the game as the 2 centre MF’s
Wolves don’t just need new players, they need 3 or 4 first team starters
Looks very short at the moment #wwfc pic.twitter.com/CMMtfgl4Cc
Squad Depth Issues Laid Bare
The defeat to Lens amplified concerns about Wolves’ lack of depth, a recurring problem that has plagued the team in recent seasons. Manager Vitor Pereira made six changes around the 60-minute mark, bringing on players like Santiago Bueno, Pedro Lima, Tawanda Chirewa, and Goncalo Guedes. While Guedes provided a spark with his goal, the overall impact of the substitutes was minimal, with players like Chirewa and Munetsi struggling to influence the game.
The Road Ahead: Urgent Need for Reinforcements
With the Premier League opener against Manchester City fast approaching, Wolves’ need for reinforcements is urgent. The club has been linked with players like Bayer Leverkusen’s Amine Adli and a Serbian forward who scored 24 goals last season, but no deals have been finalized.