Hwang Hee-chan Excluded from Wolves' Championship Opener Amid Transfer Speculation

South Korean football star Hwang Hee-chan was notably absent from Wolverhampton Wanderers' opening match of the Championship season, a decision that intensifies speculation about his potential transfer away from the club. The team drew 2-2 with Blackburn Rovers at Molineux Stadium on Saturday.

This exclusion follows his absence from the Carabao Cup match against Port Vale, marking two consecutive official games without participation. Wolverhampton, relegated from the Premier League last season, is beginning its campaign in the second tier of English football. Hwang's future had already been uncertain following the team's drop in league status.

Wolverhampton is reportedly considering selling Hwang, who is among the club's highest earners, to generate funds. The club faces financial pressures after relegation, and offloading Hwang, who is under contract until 2028, could provide necessary capital. However, his recent dip in form and high transfer value have reportedly deterred potential buyers.

New Wolverhampton manager, Portuguese coach César Peixoto, has seemingly sidelined Hwang, reportedly assigning him to the U-21 team, effectively classifying him as surplus to requirements. Hwang joined Wolverhampton in the 2021-2022 season and was a key goalscorer in the 2023-2024 Premier League season with 12 goals. However, recurring injuries have impacted his performance in subsequent seasons, with only two league goals in the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 seasons.