Premier League 2018: What to know about Wolves after their promotion

Fulham's draw at home to Brentford ensured that the West Midlands outfit couldn't drop out of the automatic promotion spots, and leaves them a single point off lifting the Sky Bet Championship trophy.

The Molineux club have been exceptional throughout the entire 2017/18 campaign and promotion to the 'big-time' is deserved with the calibre of players that they have brought in and the performance they've helped to produce.

There has been much debate regarding Wolves this season, particularly relating to their transfer activity and the influence of super-agent Jorge Mendes.

Regardless, they will be lining up in the Premier League in August and will fancy their chances of success.

Tom Carnduff provides all the Wolves info you need to know and what they can achieve during the 2018/19 season.

Who is the Wolves manager?

Nuno Espirito Santo is the man that has finally guided Wolves back to being alongside England's elite.

The 44-year-old joined the club in the summer and has made the most of the resources available to him by assembling a team that frightened most of the division.

Santo is well-equipped when it comes to top-flight football. He's had experience with Porto and Valencia and achieved success during his time abroad.

At Valencia, he won the LaLiga Manager of the Month award on three separate occasions (September 2014, December 2014 and February 2015) as well as guiding them to a fourth-place finish in his first season, which included a victory and a draw against Real Madrid.

Linking up with Porto shortly after presented no silverware, but Nuno did post a win percentage of 55.1 per cent.

His time at Wolves has been a huge success so far, the EFL Championship Manager of the Month in November 2017 going alongside his 65.3 per cent win ratio to date.

Who are their star players?

It will come as no surprise to say that Ruben Neves is the headline act in an immensely-talented Wolves squad.

A £17million signing from Porto in the summer, the midfielder has scored six and contributed another assist.

However, he has stolen the headlines on numerous occasions with his goals, all six of which have come from outside the area.

His remarkable strike against Derby County just highlights the talent that he possesses, and he is set to be a hit in the Premier League next season.

Loan signings Willy Boly and Diego Jota have proved to be a hit with the fans this season, with the latter having a deal in place to join permanently in the summer.

Whilst the big money and big name signings may have come to the forefront of conversations, Conor Coady has enjoyed a fantastic season that sees him captain of the Premier League-bound side.

Matt Doherty and Barry Douglas have been key out in the wide positions, whilst John Ruddy has seen his performances rewarded with a spot in the EFL Team of the Season.

The money has definitely boosted Wolves' promotion efforts, but the 'unsung heroes' have more than played their part.

Who is Jorge Mendes and what is his involvement?

The biggest talking point about Wolves and their rise to the top-flight undoubtedly surrounds Jorge Mendes.

The super-agent represents head coach Nuno Espirito Santo and several Wolves players, including Championship record signing Neves and Jota, who sits as Wolves' top-scorer this season with 17 goals.

The club, which is owned by Chinese investors, has been attracting the interest of many due to its relationship with Mendes and what impact he has within the transfer market.

A subsidiary of Wolves owners Fosun owns a share in Mendes' agency, Gestifute, which represents a number of star players and managers across world football.

Player to sign for Wolves in the summer transfer window (odds via Sky Bet)

• Joe Hart - 9/2
• Fernando Torres - 10/1

Click here to see Sky Bet's other transfer market prices

Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani has been the most high-profile figure to hit out at Wolves' relationship with the agent.

After Wolves beat his Leeds side 3-0, Radrizzani tweeted: 'We have our own problems but we should play in a fair competition. Not legal and fair (to) let one team owned by a fund whom has shares in the biggest players agency with evident benefits (top European clubs giving players with options to buy

'Why the other 23 teams can’t have same treatment? We should play all 24 with the same rules and opportunities (its enough to google it) @EFL'

'Congratulations to the best team but hope the league can be fair and equal to all 24 teams'

The Leeds owner also Retweeted a Tweet from the Yorkshire Evening Post's Phil Hay which said: '"One Jorge Mendes" coming from the away end. Surely a first. #lufc'

It has been reported that several Championship clubs have previously raised concerns about the influence of Mendes, with Leeds one of those sides involved.

The EFL have asked Wolves for their observations, but the club remain adamant that they are not breaking any rules.

It's fair to say that deals for the likes of Neves and Jota would have been considerably harder for the club without Mendes.

However, when it comes to the Premier League, the club will be able to attract a whole new level of talent, with Benfica star Anderson Talisca already linked with a move.

Will there be a conflict of interest?

Potentially, and this could be what some Premier League clubs are concerned about.

It wasn't too much of an issue in the Championship, where no clubs will be rivalling them for the signing of players such as Neves.

With their rise into the top division though, they could be stepping into the grounds of difficult situations.

One scenario could be if a club such as Manchester United are battling Wolves for one player.

Mendes has a relationship with Wolves, but also has United boss Jose Mourinho as one of his clients, which could leave him with some tough decisions to make.

Another potential area could be if a Mendes-represented player hands in a transfer request and ends up moving to Wolves. You can almost guarantee that the selling club would voice concerns about such a deal.

Of course, these are specific situations and it could be unlikely that they come into play. It does those highlight how the Mendes link could provide more problems now they are in the same ballpark as the calibre of player he represents.

How will they do in the Premier League?

Wolves are expected to do very well in terms of a newly-promoted side.

They already have Premier League-level talent and no reason to sell those top players ahead of the new season.

If they're able to bring in £17m signings in the second-tier then who knows the limit on the recruits they can acquire with the offer of top-flight football.

They were linked with a £30m move for AC Milan striker Andre Silva in January, which reiterates their ambition and resources that they have available.

You can probably expect the spending to continue next season and that should put them in a great position against many of their rivals.

As a very early prediction I'd have Wolves around the 8th/9th mark next season. Sky Bet offer 10/11 on them to finish in the top-half which should be their minimum expectation in reality.

Fancy them to do the impossible? They're 250/1 with Sky Bet to win the Premier League.

Odds correct at 1400 BST (17/04/18)

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