Raul Jimenez has impressed in the Premier League for Wolverhampton Wanderers, leading the line for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.
Raul Jimenez has averaged a goal every four games in the Premier League since he arrived at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer. But there is more to the Benfica loanee’s game than hitting the back of the net.
Jimenez has become integral to Nuno Espirito Santo’s style, with his intelligent hold-up play and ability to bring the best out of the players around him. The Mexican international grabbed his fourth assist of the season when setting up Ivan Cavaleiro’s opener in Wolves’ 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Sunday.
Speaking to the Monday Night Club on BBC Radio 5 Live (12 November, 6:00pm), former West Ham, Everton and Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchison has lauded Jimenez, comparing him to Chelsea target man Olivier Giroud.
“He’s so good at being a nine, Raul Jimenez, probably a bit like playing behind Giroud,” Hutchison said.
“He gets the ball and it sticks, he’s got a good first touch. He’ll get eight or nine goals but he might well get 15 assists this season”.
Giroud might not be the most prolific goal-scorer in world football, but he has built a reputation on enabling his more technically gifted teammates – such as Eden Hazard, Mesut Ozil, Antoine Griezmann – to shine.
And it is fair to say Jimenez is doing a similar job at Wolves, although Nuno would no doubt love to see him hit the back of the net more often.
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