Pre-season training | Week two round-up

19th July 2025

Seven days in the blistering Portuguese sun has greeted Vitor Pereira’s squad in week two of pre-season as his Wolves squad got down to work during their warm weather training camp.

Having arrived at their Algarve base last Thursday evening, it was all systems go this week as the men’s first-team squad put in the hard graft to get themselves in the best possible shape ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.

With Wolves kicking off their new season against Manchester City in less than a month’s time, wolves.co.uk has rounded up everything that has been going on in Portugal during the second week of pre-season.

Saturday 12th July

With the squad sully acclimatised to their new Algarve surroundings, Saturday saw the players take part in a series of drills involving small goals, the group stopped for lunch, before returning to the gym for a second session in the early evening.

That session proved even tougher that the first, with running drills, rondos and small sided campaigns pushing the players to their limit.

However, the squad enjoyed some down time in the evening after their hard work, with the group taking a visit to the nearby Estadio Algarve to watch Tommy Doyle in action for his loan club as Birmingham City took on Sevilla in a pre-season friendly.

At the team hotel, downtime has also seen the players take part in a range of activities to keep up the lively spirit within the group, with table football, table tennis and darts all bringing the competition.

#Summer2025

Sunday 13th July

The training didn’t let off throughout last weekend, and Pereira had his players out on the training pitch bright and early on Sunday morning for their only session of the day.

There was plenty of tactical work going into the group as they prepared for their first pre-season test on Tuesday – a behind closed doors friendly with Portuguese side CD Santa Clara.

There was no on-pitch training on Sunday afternoon, so instead the squad split into two groups as they spent time in the gym and the pool before switching over. A lively afternoon in the pool gave the players a chance to let off some steam and enjoy a cool down after three days of intense training in the Iberian sunshine.

While at the team hotel, some of the new faces to the squad, including summer signing Fer Lopez and the academy players on their first trip away, were called up to sign their initiation songs – as is customary on a pre-season tour – and they all went down very well with the group.

Monday 14th July

In preparation for the Santa Clara game on Tuesday morning, the squad were back on double sessions on Monday, as they were pushed to their limits in the ever-increasing heat of the training ground. With the baking temperatures now hitting 30 degrees, it was a tough day for Pereira’s players as they continued to put in the work towards the new Premier League campaign.

Jorgen Strand Larsen also shared his thoughts of returning to training with Wolves TV, as he discussed catching up with Toti in Greece during the break, his friend Fer Lopez making the move from Celta Vigo and why he's starting his second season with confidence.

Ahead of the first outing of pre-season, the club confirmed some number changes for the 2025/26 season, with Lopez set to take on the number 28 shirt – which he also wore at Celta Vigo – which was famously worn at Wolves by Joao Moutinho during his five-year stint in Old Gold.

There are also changes for Yerson Mosquera and Rodrigo Gomes, with the Colombian moving to number 15 and the Portuguese picking up 21.

Tuesday 15th July

An 11am kick-off against Santa Clara gave 21 members of Pereira’s squad an opportunity to get some minutes into their legs in the opening outing of pre-season. The behind closed doors training game of two 35-minute halves was a good test for the team, with everyone bar Alfie Pond – who turned out for the whole 70 minutes – playing a half of football each.

Although it was the Portuguese side who won 2-1, the game was more about getting the players back up to speed after almost two months without football, while it also saw Sasa Kalajdzic hit the target on his return from injury.

The first training game of the summer also saw a debut for the club’s brand new SUDU home kit, which was looking resplendent in action for the first time.

With no training planned for Tuesday afternoon, it was the first real bit of down time the players have got to enjoy so far this week, with the majority of the squad grabbing a bite to eat in some of the local restaurants before heading to the beach to relax and recover from their morning exertions.

Wednesday 16th July

As is the norm back at Compton the day following a Premier League match, Wednesday had sessions focused on recovery.

However, that didn’t stop Andre from having to run through the ceremonial tunnel of players giving him ‘birthday bumps’ onto the training pitch to kick off his 24th birthday celebrations.

In the afternoon, the players competed in a head tennis competition which provided respite for the group and a chance to increase the team bonds which are being strengthened during their time away together in Portugal.

After Wednesday’s recovery session, Goncalo Guedes spoke to wolves.co.uk and Wolves Express and was in a positive mindset as he praised the spirit within the camp. You can read his thoughts here.

Thursday 17th July

Thursday was a repeat of Sunday for the players, as the begun the day with another demanding session out on the training pitch.

Despite the intensity of training, there was a lively atmosphere among the group as the players were able to enjoy a competitive game – which always leads to extravagant celebrations!

As on Sunday, Thursday saw the group split into two back at the team hotel, as half of them headed off to the gym and the other half to the pool, before switching over.

While back at Molineux, plans were continuing to be put in place for the club’s tributes to Diogo Jota. On Thursday evening, it was announced the former forward has been inducted into the Wolves Hall of Fame for his remarkable achievements and the history he made during his time at Molineux.

Friday 18th July

Usually, the day before a game will see the team train once and then head off to a hotel together for some relaxation and down time, but not in Portugal!

Similarly to Monday, Pereira had his players hard at work in both the morning and afternoon as they worked on different tactics and intricacies which they can translate out onto the pitch on matchday.

With the second behind closed doors training game to come on Saturday morning, the focus will once again be on getting further minutes into the squad, with everything building up gradually to the final game of the pre-season against Celta Vigo at Molineux.

Season ticket holders can now claim their free tickets for that match, before going on sale to members next Friday (25th July) and general sale the following Friday (1st August). More information can be found here.

Related News

I’m really happy to wear this shirt. Every time we’re on the pitch, especially when we play at Molineux in front of the fans, it’s such a great feeling.

Toti