One of Conor Coady's former team-mates has questioned Wolves' decision to loan the 29-year-old to Everton for the 2022/23 season.
Frank Lampard is rebuilding the Blues' backline having already agreed deals for James Tarkowski and Ruben Vinagre in this department. Coady has become the latest player recruited in this position of the pitch and will bring a wealth of experience to Goodison Park.
During his seven years with Wolves, the England international has made over 300 appearances - 151 of which have come at Premier League level. A dependable and vocal member of the West Midlands-based club, Coady has missed only one top-flight match in the last four seasons.
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It has therefore come as a surprise that Wolves boss Bruno Lage has approved this loan departure, regardless of his desire to change from a three-back formation in favour of a new system which Coady has seemingly been deemed an unsuitable option.
One individual who has been left perplexed by this decision is Bala Town midfielder Dave Edwards, who spent the majority of his career at Molineux and operated alongside Everton's new recruit for two seasons.
Questioning the thought process of his former employers in his column for the Express & Star, Edwards said: "Conor Coady’s move to Everton seems has happened quickly. It’s on a much bigger scale than when I left and Coads had a much bigger impact than me but it feels similar in terms of it happening quickly, at the beginning of a season too.
"From Wolves’ point of view I don’t understand a loan-to-permanent move. They need funds in to buy players, so why they wouldn’t want an upfront fee done and dusted I don’t know.
“I don’t think there would be a huge expectation for Conor to come back a Wolves player. Once you’re loaned out I don’t really see the value in coming back. It would be much better for Conor and Wolves and Everton if there was a fee on a permanent move. It is the right move for him currently.
"He will be missed, regardless of people saying he’s just a voice and won’t play – he will be missed around the place, I know the work he does on and off the pitch at Wolves. But football moves on quickly. He will be a big addition wherever. He will play football at Everton, they play a back three."
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