Jeff Shi names the worst signing Wolves have made since Fosun took over, 'his character was not suitable'

Wolves chairman Jeff Shi has caused a stir with his appearance on the Business of Sport podcast.

Wolves fans are hoping for a productive summer, but so far, it has mainly been about players leaving the club.

This is a vital window, and the onus is on Fosun to supply the funds for Vitor Pereira to rebuild his squad ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Failure to back Pereira appropriately could lead to another season of struggle.

Fans were buoyed when it was claimed ‘the penny had dropped’ at Wolves and that more spending was required.

So the hope is that the purse strings will soon be released, but it is so important for Wolves to sign players who will be the right fit – unlike one player who joined the club in 2019.

Jeff Shi says Patrick Cutrone is the worst signing Wolves made since Fosun takeover

Photo by Sam Bagnall – AMA/Getty Images

During Shi’s podcast appearance on the Business of Sport, he was asked for the worst signing the club have made since he and Fosun have been at the club.

And in his eyes, that honour goes to Patrick Cutrone.

MORE WOLVES STORIES

Cutrone was picked up by Wolves in the summer of 2019 from AC Milan.

Wolves paid around £16 million for the Italian striker, but it was a pretty miserable spell for him at Molineux, as he scored just three goals in 28 appearances.

Shi said: “Maybe the worst deal is Patrick Cutrone. We bought him in the third season or whatever, but his character was not suitable for the UK.

“I think maybe his style of play was maybe more for Italian football.

“He was a nice guy. He did very well in AC Milan, so we were maybe a little bit attracted to his history in Milan, a young player, but (he was) not scouted enough about what the style of play in the Premier League (could be).

“Sometimes you are attracted by the name, so that’s something we have to learn (from).”

During the game interview, Shi also expressed regret over the Diogo Jota sale, stating Nuno Espirito Santo had wanted to keep Adama Traore instead.

Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

How Cutrone has fared since leaving Wolves

A few years ago, Cutrone reflected on his struggles at Wolves and talked of lacking rhythm on the pitch.

He was competing with Raul Jimenez for minutes, and the Mexican was clearly the superior player. Cutrone also spoke of living away from home, admitting: “It was the first time after Milan, so far from home.

“I was alone. With my girlfriend, it was our first months together and sometimes it isn’t the right time to live together. Sometimes my family my friends [would visit] but the rest of the time I was alone.”

Patrick Cutrone for Wolves (2019-2022) Appearances – 28 Minutes played – 964 Goals – 3 Assists – 4

While at Wolves, Cutrone had loan spells at Fiorentina, Valencia and Empoli – but none were particularly successful. He scored just eight goals across those stints.

Cutrone left Wolves in 2022 to join Como, for whom he still plays.

So far, he’s scored 31 goals in 102 appearances for the club and now of course, he is working under Cesc Fabregas, who is making a big impression with the Serie A club. Last term, he was a regular under the Spaniard, scoring eight goals in 38 appearances.

Click here to read article