Credit: Imago

Jack Dawson

Wed 11 March 2026 15:30, UK

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Ki-Jana Hoever could play an important role at Wolverhampton Wanderers next season, but this cannot be allowed to happen.

The 24-year-old right-back is currently on loan to Sheffield United in the Championship after failing to impress in the top-flight.

In recent years, the defender has impressed in the second-tier, particularly at Stoke City, where he spent one-and-a-half seasons.

However, recent weeks have shown that his ability at this level has declined rapidly, and after he was caught booting the ball needlessly out for a corner, he cannot be part of Wolves’ promotion campaign next season.

Ki-Jana Hoever at centre of laughable incident in Sheffield United vs West Brom

After spending numerous games on the bench, Hoever has returned to the lineup in recent weeks for the Blades and was part of the side that drew 1-1 with West Brom on the weekend.

However, while his performance against the Baggies wasn’t poor, he made a bizarre decision during the match.

The ball fell to the full-back midway into West Brom’s half after a Sheffield United corner. Yet, instead of playing it to a teammate or bringing the ball forward, Hoever opted to smash the ball down the other end of the pitch for a Baggies corner.

Sheffield Star journalist Danny Hall posted a clip of the incident on X, with it going viral, amassing 593,000 views at the time of writing.

pic.twitter.com/IDMw8qFW6D https://t.co/hEhUtCw2SC

— Danny Hall (@dannyhall04) March 8, 2026

Unfortunately for Hoever, this just goes to show that he does not have the ability to be part of a promotion push.

If Rob Edwards wants to keep his five at the back system, the wing-backs are arguably the most important cog.

Therefore, having Hoever in this position could prove to be detrimental and cost an instant return to the Premier League.

As a result, a sale would be wise in the summer, especially with his contract set to expire in 2027.

What are Hoever’s stats at Sheffield United?

While Hoever has not been bad for the Blades, he certainly has not been great.

According to Fotmob on 11 March, he is yet to score or provide an assist; he has only created four chances and has managed just six touches in the opposition’s box.

While he is winning a fair amount of his duels at 66 per cent, and he has completed 57.1 per cent of his dribbles, Wolves need someone who is a reliable and consistent attacking output in the wing-back position.

Unfortunately, it seems that a Hoever may never be a success at Molineux.