The UEFA Champions League—easily one of the most prestigious football tournaments in Europe and the world. To even qualify for the competition, it is required to have immense talent and money.
Introduction
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C, a mid-level team struggling in the EFL Championship since 2011, and even being relegated from the Championship, was always at the middle of the table from 2013-16. In 2017, they steamrolled through the league, placing 1st with 99 points and being promoted to the Premier League.
The Revival
Their performance skyrocketed after being promoted. The Wolves placed 7th in their first Premier League season (in a long time), above other consistent, talented teams such as Everton and Leicester City.
They soon gained a large fanbase after defeating major teams in rather dramatic fashion, including Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur to name a few. The underdogs are also currently in the UEFA Europa League R16, facing Olympiacos if the league continues.
Is Wolverhampton ready for the Champions League?
Well, yes, and no. In terms of skill, there is no doubt that they can perform well at the champions league, featuring very capable players such as Adama Traoré, Raúl Jiménez, Diogo Jota and many others. However, a good performance in 2018-19 and 2019-20 has shown gradual improvement, and the UEFA Champions League takes years of hard work and team strategy. With teams like FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus, and countless others in the league, it is important to note that only the best of the best is fit to play in the Champions League.
Before reaching the Champions League, the challenge of placing in the top 4 in the Premier League must be overcome, which is a huge task on its own. The top 4 race is between great teams—namely Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur—along with Liverpool, eventually to be declared winners this season.
It is only a matter of time before the Wolves unveil their true capacity. And if they are good enough when they do, they may be the next underdog story in the history of football.
Credits:
https://www.skysports.com/championship-table/2017
https://www.premierleague.com/tables?co=1&se=79&ha=-1&team=FIRST
Main image:
Embed from Getty Images