The international break came at a timely instance for Wolverhampton Wanderers and their new manager, Bruno Lage.

His men are yet to secure a point this season or score a goal but that doesn’t tell the full story of the football they’ve played.

Wolves have fashioned chances on a regular basis but can’t seem to stick them away despite their eye-catching performances.

On the chalkboard

Wolves failed to sign anyone on transfer deadline day after a rather tame summer window.

However, the best business they may have done was keeping Adama Traore at Molineux.

The Spaniard had been linked with the exit door on what felt like a weekly basis before Tottenham made a late dart to acquire his services.

Wolves had been in deadlock with Traore over a new deal and it didn’t look as though he was going to pen fresh terms.

Therefore, Lage had to determine whether to stick or twist. Spurs forced his hand but none of their offers were too appealing.

The Midlands club wanted £50m but the north Londoners were only offering a loan move or £30m in cash.

The solution

Spurs eventually deferred their interest on transfer deadline day with no further talks taking place.

Since then, Wolves have worked hard to bring Traore back to the negotiating table. Fortunately, it looks as though they’ve had luck.

The Athletic’s Tim Spiers claimed at the weekend that further talks were ongoing before The Sun suggested that Wolves were about to make him their highest-paid player on £120k-per-week.

That’s a lot of money but keeping him at the club will undoubtedly be a huge boost to the Molineux side and it is one that will elate Lage significantly.

The Portuguese manager is all too aware of Traore’s qualities but he’s also stated already this season that he must improve in a fundamental area of his game; finishing.

That came after he spurned a huge opportunity to score against Leicester. Clearly, in the few weeks that have followed, his ability to find the back of the net hasn’t got better.

Ruben Neves played a delightful ball in behind during their loss to Spurs but left one-on-one with Hugo Lloris, he stuck it straight at the French goalkeeper.

You get the sense that once the flying winger starts scoring goals more regularly, he will become an elite player.

After all, his pace is frightening and the ability to beat opponents is second to very few in world football. The Spain international is yet to score this season but his dazzling talents have seen him record ten dribbles per game; a high across all of Europe’s top five leagues.

On that evidence, keeping the 25-year-old has been of utmost importance. It will delight the manager and fans alike that he’s set to commit his future to the club.

AND in other news, Left for £1.17m, now worth £53m: Wolves made epic error over "outstanding" 27-goal gem...