Cristian Stellini has warned Tottenham Hotspur to ‘take care’ in defending Wolverhampton Wanderers ace Raul Jimenez. He feels the striker has found a solid vein of form for Wolves.
Spurs visit Molineux on Saturday in Stellini’s last expected game as the north London club’s stand-in manager. Antonio Conte is set to return to the helm following their Premier League trip to the West Midlands. He has been absent following surgery to remove his gallbladder.
Tottenham could strengthen their position in fourth place in the top-flight table with a win at Wolves. They enter the weekend occupying the last of the Champions League qualifying places after 25 games. But Newcastle United, who visit Manchester City, have two in hand.
Wolves, meanwhile, might drop into the relegation zone depending on results elsewhere if Stellini’s side beats Julen Lopetegui’s team. The Molineux outfit enter the weekend in 15th place. But they are just three points clear of Everton, who visit Nottingham Forest, in 18th.
The West Midlands outfit have remained in the relegation fight having failed to win any of their last three games. But Jimenez helped Wolves to a 1-1 draw at Fulham after assisting Pablo Sarabia. The Craven Cottage affair also marked his return to Wolves’ starting line-up.
Stellini warns Tottenham to be aware of Jimenez when they visit Wolves
Jimenez has only started in five of his 10 Premier League appearances this season ahead of Wolves hosting Tottenham. He also missed four months with a groin injury until the end of 2022. The 31-year-old even damaged his medial collateral ligament and adductor last July.
The fitness problems have hindered Jimenez’s efforts to establish much form with Wolves before facing Stellini’s Tottenham this weekend. His assist at Fulham is the 100-cap Mexico star’s only top-flight goal involvement this term. But he scored three in three EFL Cup ties.
Stellini can also still recall the striker Jimenez was before the forward fractured his skull in November 2020. The 31-year-old had 13 goals in 38 Premier League games in 2018/19 and scored 17 in 38 in 2019/20. He even started the 2020/21 campaign with four in 10 games.
So, Stellini has warned Tottenham they must be aware of the threat Jimenez will pose with Wolves. Spurs have only kept a clean sheet in two of their past seven top-flight away days.
“I know Jimenez,” Stellini said, via quotes by football.london. “He’s a player that, before he had an injury, was one of the top strikers in the world.
“After some injuries, he has to drop onto the bench and wait to perform well. But in this moment, he has gained a good place and a good moment and we have to take care.”
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