Hwang Hee-chan's departure from Wolverhampton Wanderers appears imminent. The South Korea national team forward has been completely frozen out at his club and is now expected to seek a transfer before the window closes.
UK-based outlet 'Football League World' included Hwang on a list of '6 Wolverhampton Players Likely to Leave the Team by the End of the Summer Transfer Window' in an article published on August 23. The outlet analyzed that Hwang is not in new manager César Peixoto's plans. Peixoto confirmed this, stating, "Some players, including Hwang Hee-chan, Kalajić, Ki-Yana Hoever, and Enzo González, have been excluded from the team and are training with the under-21 squad."
Why has Hwang Hee-chan been frozen out
The context for Hwang's exclusion is Wolves' severe decline. The club finished bottom of the Premier League in the 2025-2026 season, managing only 3 wins, 11 draws, and 24 losses from 38 matches for a mere 20 points. This resulted in relegation to the Championship. In this crisis, newly appointed manager Peixoto has embarked on a major squad overhaul. He said, "Managing training sessions is challenging due to the excessive number of players." expressing his desire to finalize the squad quickly. Hwang was completely left out of Wolves' first two opening matches of the new season, a clear sign he is not part of the manager's vision.
What was Hwang Hee-chan's time at Wolves like
Hwang joined Wolves on loan in the 2021-2022 season before making the move permanent the following year and establishing himself as a starter. He notably scored 13 goals in 31 matches during the 2023-2024 campaign, becoming a key attacker. Former Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola once referred to him as the 'Korean Guy' in praise. However, his style often required optimal conditions to thrive, and he struggled to maintain consistent form in Wolves' difficult environment near the bottom of the Premier League. Injuries and poor form further eroded his standing. Some local media analyzed that he had attracted interest from Crystal Palace, but that possibility has now diminished.
How does this affect the South Korea national team
News of Hwang's potential move directly impacts the South Korea national team at a critical juncture in World Cup qualifying. The Taeguk Warriors currently sit 3rd in their 2026 World Cup qualifying group. They have 3 points from 3 games (1 win, 2 losses) and have lost their last two matches. Their goal difference stands at -1, having scored 2 and conceded 3. They trail leaders Mexico by 6 points, with a home fixture against Ecuador on September 24th next on the fixtures schedule. Hwang is an important attacking option in the national team squad. His performance and condition at a new club will be a key variable for the team's offensive power. This is especially true following a 1-0 loss to South Africa on June 25, 2026, which makes finding attacking solutions urgent.
What happens next for Hwang Hee-chan
Hwang's immediate task is to find a new club and return to regular first-team football. Wolves have reportedly placed him, along with Boubakary Soumaré and Saša Kalajdžić, on the transfer market ahead of this season. With the summer transfer window closing soon, his representatives and clubs must accelerate negotiations. As the standings show, the South Korea national team desperately needs points to secure a World Cup finals ticket. All eyes are on whether Hwang can rediscover his best form in a new environment and contribute to steering the national team's recent form of 3 wins and 2 losses from the last 5 games (LLWWW, most recent first) back towards consistent victories.
