Can Pereira Rely on Hwang to Cover Cunha’s Absence Against Everton?

Wolverhampton Wanderers are preparing for a Premier League match against Everton. Despite being comfortably above the relegation zone, Wolves are aiming for a win to solidify their position.

Historically, Wolves have performed well against Everton in the Premier League since 2018/19. They have only lost four times, winning seven and scoring 21 goals.

With a positive historical record and the need for points, Wolves might feel confident. However, manager Vitor Pereira will have to play without key player Matheus Cunha for this game.

Why Cunha Will Miss the Everton Match

Last Saturday, Wolves played against Bournemouth in the FA Cup, eventually losing on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Cunha scored a goal in that match.

Despite the goal, the game ended negatively for Cunha as he received a red card for violent conduct. Reports indicate he was sent off for “fighting and kicking out before aiming a headbutt.” This three-game suspension starts with the Everton match and includes games against Southampton and West Ham United.

Additionally, the FA has charged Cunha further for “improper conduct.” If found guilty, he could miss a fourth game against Ipswich Town.

In the immediate future, Wolves will definitely miss Cunha against Everton. His absence is a significant setback for Pereira, who now needs to find a replacement in attack.

Hwang as a Potential Replacement for Cunha

Wolves’ attack is somewhat weakened for the Everton game. Besides Cunha’s suspension, Goncalo Guedes and Rodrigo Gomes are just returning from injuries but are reportedly fit to play. This situation could present an opportunity for Hee-chan Hwang.

Hwang had a strong 2023/24 season, scoring 12 Premier League goals and providing three assists in 29 games.

However, his form has dipped this season, with only two goals in 17 league appearances, which are his only goals in all competitions this term.

Despite the current season’s form, Hwang has demonstrated his goal-scoring ability in the past. Last season, his stats were comparable to Cunha’s.

For instance, Hwang averaged 0.6 goals per 90 minutes compared to Cunha’s 0.5. Hwang also had a better take-on success rate at 54.55% versus Cunha’s 51.2%.

Hwang has a history of scoring against Everton, including in a 1-1 draw in 2022/23.

Replacing Cunha is a challenge for Pereira. However, having Hwang in the team provides a valuable option. He has been described as the “perfect modern forward.”

Hwang has the potential to fill the goal-scoring void left by Cunha and help Wolves secure a vital win against Everton.