Lambert departure has role in Wolves 24-year-old’s future being cast into doubt – report

Sat 24 June 2017 15:57, UK

By Harvey Byrne

Manager Paul Lambert’s departure from Wolves this summer has played a role in defender Ethan Ebanks-Landell’s future being cast into doubt, according to a report.

Midlands publication the Express and Star ran a story on their website on Saturday where Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder confirmed that contact had been made with Wolves about the 24-year-old centre-back, who only signed a new three-year contract in January.

But, also in the report it is stated that Lambert was understood to have played a “pivotal role” in persuading Ebanks-Landell to agree to the extension, while his departure alongside a number of defenders already joining this summer has meant that his future at Wolves is now uncertain.

The defender is a product of the Wolves academy, joining the club at the age of nine before making his debut in August 2013 in a League Cup clash against Morecambe.

He has since gone on to play 50 times in total for the Wolves first team, while last season he featured 34 times in League One during Sheffield United’s promotion campaign.

Meanwhile, the experienced Lambert was replaced by ex-Porto manager Nuno Espirito Santo as the Wolves hierarchy aim for promotion in the next campaign.

Football Insider verdict:

Only time will tell whether Wolves may have been better off sticking with Paul Lambert, but what is clear is that the club are moving away further from having an English core. One of ex-manager Walter Zenga’s main problems and critiques was that he brought in too many foreign imports that weren’t suited for the English game. Now, while Santo has brought in Ryan Bennett, he has also brought in two unproven in England. Meanwhile, Lambert was looking to bring in more proven players, but his departure has also seen Andreas Weimann head back to Derby following his loan move and the Scotsman’s exit could become costly in more ways than one.