Since taking over as Wolves’ new manager in December, Vitor Pereira has shown no hesitation in making bold decisions.
When Mario Lemina refused to play against Newcastle, Pereira made it clear there was no way back for the Gabon international.
Galatasaray subsequently secured a £2.5 million transfer for Lemina, ending his two-year stint at Molineux, much to the satisfaction of many Wolves supporters.
Pereira also managed to convince Matheus Cunha to sign a new contract despite interest from some of England’s biggest clubs, including Arsenal and Manchester United.
Cunha is now poised to play a crucial role in Wolves’ fight for survival this season, but the same cannot be said for Craig Dawson.
Vitor Pereira banishes Craig Dawson from first-team training:
Last week, it was revealed that Wolves were in discussions to terminate Dawson’s contract. Pereira has seldom used the 34-year-old since his arrival, and with his contract set to expire in the summer, the manager did not see him as part of his future plans.
Dawson was excluded from the Premier League squad, alongside long-term absentees Sasa Kalajdzic and Yerson Mosquera, leaving the veteran with no path back to the first team.
Now, Pereira has gone a step further by removing the center-back from first-team training altogether, explaining his decision via the E&S.
“I had the conversation (with him) before and after that I haven’t seen him again. What I have to say about Craig, I said before.
“He’s not part of the group and now it’s something between him and the club.”
Pereira’s decision to axe Dawson from the team is likely to split opinions, as the Englishman was a key figure under Gary O’Neil but has since experienced a sharp decline at Wolves.
Wolves have acted well in the transfer window:
Dawson is arguably one of Fosun’s most significant signings. He was brought in for just £3 million from West Ham in January 2023 and played a vital role under Julen Lopetegui.
Wolves managed to survive in the 2022/23 campaign, and despite joining midway through the season, Dawson made 17 Premier League appearances.
The veteran deserves recognition for helping the team navigate a challenging period, but it’s now evident that Pereira is focused on the future, and his activity during the transfer window has been impressive.
Wolves have struck gold with the £16.6 million signing of Emmanuel Agbadou, who has already earned a Player of the Month award, while Nasser Djiga looks like a promising acquisition from Red Star Belgrade.
Agbadou and Djiga are expected to become long-term fixtures in Pereira’s defense, leaving no room for Dawson, whose Wolves career is set to end on a disappointing note.
