César Peixoto has made a major decision over his Wolverhampton Wanderers squad, and it could bring an end to the Molineux careers of several players who have become familiar names to supporters.
The new Wolves head coach has wasted little time putting his stamp on the squad since arriving from Gil Vicente in June. Peixoto was appointed on a two-year contract after the club parted company with Rob Edwards following relegation from the Premier League, and he has been clear from the beginning that he wants to build a team capable of returning to the top flight.
That rebuilding process has now taken a significant turn.
Reports indicate that four players — Hwang Hee-chan, Saša Kalajdžić, Ki-Jana Hoever and Enso González — have been left out of Peixoto’s first-team group and are training with the Under-21 side as Wolves look to reduce the size of their senior squad.
It is a striking development, particularly because Hwang was once one of the club’s most important attacking players.
The South Korea international arrived at Wolves in 2021 and eventually established himself as a regular first-team contributor. His best season came in 2023/24, when he scored 13 goals in 31 appearances, but injuries and inconsistent form have affected his progress since then.
Now, however, his position at Molineux appears increasingly uncertain.
The situation is not necessarily about one poor performance or one isolated decision. Instead, it appears to be part of Peixoto’s wider attempt to create a smaller group of players who fit his footballing ideas and can handle the demands of a long Championship campaign.
Peixoto has spoken repeatedly about the importance of building a strong group.
When he arrived at Wolves, he said he wanted to establish his own identity, with an aggressive, attacking approach built around intensity, organisation and pressing. He also made it clear that he wanted players who could cope with the physical demands of the Championship.
That philosophy helps explain why some established names could now find themselves on the outside.
Hwang Hee-chan faces an uncertain future
For Hwang, the development is arguably the biggest surprise.
The 30-year-old forward has already experienced some memorable moments in a Wolves shirt and was once viewed as an important part of the club’s attacking plans. But the arrival of Raúl Jiménez, Adam Armstrong and other attacking options has increased competition for places.
Peixoto has also shown that he is prepared to make difficult decisions when constructing his squad.
Hwang was not involved in Wolves’ opening Championship fixture against Blackburn Rovers, which ended 2-2. Marshall Munetsi and Jiménez scored for Wolves as Peixoto’s side came from behind to claim a point.
The manager’s decision to move Hwang away from the first-team group therefore carries considerable significance.
It does not automatically mean a transfer is already completed, but with the summer window still open, the writing appears to be on the wall.
Kalajdžić’s Wolves future remains unclear
Saša Kalajdžić is another player whose Wolves career has been repeatedly interrupted.
The Austrian striker arrived with a strong reputation but has struggled to establish himself consistently because of serious injury problems. Wolves’ official retained list still showed him as being under contract, but the latest squad situation suggests that his future is once again uncertain.
For a manager trying to build a squad for a demanding 46-game Championship season, availability is naturally going to be an important consideration.
Peixoto needs forwards who can train consistently, compete for selection and contribute regularly. If Kalajdžić is not part of those immediate plans, a departure could become the logical next step.
Hoever and González also face difficult decisions
Ki-Jana Hoever’s situation is similarly complicated.
The defender has been on Wolves’ books for several years but has struggled to establish himself as a regular senior player at Molineux. With Peixoto reshaping the squad and several defenders competing for positions, Hoever now appears to be another player who could be moved on.
Enso González is perhaps a different case because of his age and potential.
The Paraguayan winger joined Wolves in 2023 and has spent much of his time developing away from the senior spotlight. However, reports have suggested that Wolves are now prepared to consider an exit, with the club looking to clear space and funds before the transfer deadline.
For González, another move could offer the opportunity to play regular first-team football rather than remain on the fringes of Peixoto’s squad.
Peixoto wants a squad built around his identity
The bigger picture is perhaps more important than the names involved.
Peixoto inherited a Wolves squad that had just experienced a difficult relegation campaign. The club finished bottom of the Premier League and now face the very different challenge of competing in the Championship.
The Portuguese coach has never hidden his ambition.
He wants Wolves to play with intensity, press high, attack with purpose and become a team that supporters can identify with. He has also stressed that pre-season would be crucial because there would be little time to make major changes once the competitive schedule became congested.
That process has already produced some encouraging signs.
Wolves defeated Port Vale 3-0 in the Carabao Cup and also ended pre-season with a 3-0 victory over Racing Santander. Peixoto has introduced a more aggressive approach, while players such as Marshall Munetsi have spoken positively about the intensity of the new manager’s training sessions.
But building a promotion-winning squad also means making unpopular decisions.
Not every player who was part of the previous Wolves era will necessarily have a role in the new one.
That appears to be the message behind the latest developments involving Hwang, Kalajdžić, Hoever and González.
For supporters, there is an obvious emotional element. These are players who have worn the famous gold and black and, in different ways, have been part of the club’s recent story.
Yet Peixoto cannot afford to make decisions based purely on sentiment.
Wolves’ objective is clear: return to the Premier League as quickly as possible.
With the transfer window still open, more movement could follow. Some players may leave permanently, while others could depart on loan in search of regular football. The final shape of Peixoto’s squad is therefore still likely to change before the window closes.
For now, though, one thing is becoming increasingly clear.
César Peixoto is not simply taking charge of the Wolves team he inherited. He is building his own team.
And for several familiar faces at Molineux, that could mean their time with the club is coming to an end.
