Wolverhampton Wanderers have started the Championship season quite well, with a solid foundation to build on, and they may already be looking to strengthen in January, with Ellis Simms potentially leaving Coventry City.

Following their relegation to the Championship last year, Wolves made several important acquisitions during the summer transfer window, with Kieran Trippier and Raul Jimenez among the first to arrive at Molineux.

Wolves, now managed by Cesar Peixoto following Rob Edwards’ unexpected resignation in the summer, are fourth in the second division, having lost only once in their first eight games of the season, away to West Ham United.

They went into the long international break by edging out arch-rivals West Bromwich Albion in the Black Country Derby, defeating The Baggies by a goal to nil in a game in which Wolves appeared to romp away with it before retiring midway through the second half.

Their performance in the first hour of that game was possibly the best they’d played thus far, and it hinted at what they could achieve on a more consistent basis if things were a little more refined and gelled.

However, a foundation has been laid, and any additional business done in January could be what pushes them over the edge in terms of promotion to the Premier League – and Simms may be up for grabs again.

Coventry’s move for Kristian Lien might free Ellis Simms up.

Last season, Coventry won the Championship with a lineup that included five players who scored double figures in the league.

Among them was former Everton striker Ellis Simms, who scored 13 goals in the Championship despite only making 15 appearances for Frank Lampard’s victors.

Simms made a rare start at the Emirates Stadium in August because to injuries to Haji Wright and Taiwo Awoniyi, who had only signed a few days before their Premier League opener against Arsenal.

However, the 25-year-old has made just two brief substitute appearances since then and is anticipated to be fourth in the pecking order when everyone is healthy and available, trailing Wright, Awoniyi, and Brandon Thomas-Asante.

Furthermore, there are reports that Coventry are one of a few clubs interested in signing Djurgarden attacker Kristian Lien, which would almost certainly mean Simms’ departure from Coventry, and Wolves should be ready to pounce since they were linked in August.

Ellis Simms would be a coup for the Wolves.

As was the case against West Brom and on a few other occasions this season, when Wolves click in the final third, they appear to be capable of blowing teams away.

The technical quality of players such as Fer Lopez and Mateus Mane, among others, elevates Wolves’ roster to a level above the rest of the competition.

If they retain and, naturally, enhance their performance level, someone who can regularly and efficiently finish off the opportunities created may be what squeezes, or dominantly asserts, them into the top two and automatic promotion slots.

Simms would undoubtedly bring efficiency, given his somewhat unbelievable stats of 13 goals in a season in which he made only 15 starts.

Simms’ finishing ability and ability to get in behind would add a new dimension to Wolves’ game, and his intangible recent promotion-winning experience would be beneficial.

Wolves have plenty of weapons already.

Wolves currently have a plethora of strikers at their disposal, including Jimenez, Adam Armstrong, and Newcastle United loanee Sean Neave.

Simms’ abilities, however, differ significantly from those of Jimenez, with the Mexico international striker capable of contributing to Wolves’ smooth and brilliant build-up play but not necessarily testing defences in behind.

Wolves will compete in the Championship this season.

Goals

Big chances missed.

SoT per game.

Expected goals:

15

8

4.6

13.1

Source: FotMob.

Armstrong has excelled in a variety of styles in the second tier, and he has shone as a talismanic figure up front for both Southampton and Blackburn Rovers, but he does not yet have that status at Molineux, so any profligacy or inconsistency is not as easily forgiven or overlooked.

As for Neave, the Wolves may have a future jewel on their hands, but he will struggle to gain minutes over the other two, and his lack of experience and proven credentials restricts Peixoto’s belief in him.

Simms can make a difference even with Wolves’ existing firepower, and it is a move they should consider in the January transfer window.