New Wolves coach Julen Lopetegui has expressed his concern about Raul Jimenez’s injury problems during his introductory press conference at the Premier League strugglers, speaking via the Birmingham Mail.
For the first time since 2003/04, Wolverhampton Wanderers supporters will be carving their Christmas turkeys with their beloved club stuck at the bottom of the table. Happy Holidays indeed.
These once-bloodthirsty Wolves once again looked toothless in the absence of their talismanic number nine at home to Arsenal on Saturday; chances going begging at one end while Martin Odegaard was taking his at the other.
No team in the top-flight has scored fewer goals than Wolves’ eight in 15 games.
And Lopetegui is under no illusions that, unless Jimenez can put those injury issues behind him in the New Year, the Spaniard’s task is bound to become a damn sight more difficult.
Julen Lopetegui needs Raul Jimenez fit and firing at Wolves
“I have spoken with them, not with all, but with two or three players. I’ve spoken with Raul about his situation with the national team of Mexico. I am worried about him because he doesn’t play any minutes with this team,” says the former Spain, Real Madrid and Sevilla coach.
“We need all (of the players) But we need Raul fit, in his best version. I hope he is going to come back here in this way because the most important thing for me is not the World Cup, it’s Wolves.
“We have to defend our aims. I have spoken to him, with all the respect of the player and the coach. But above all, for me, it’s Wolves.”
Jimenez has started just two Premier League games this season. His last appearance came back in August, and there are understandable concerns amongst the Wolves support that Jimenez could suffer a set-back in Qatar as he looks to speed up his recovery in time for Mexico’s World Cup opener with Poland on November 22nd.
Lopetegui and Neves, reunited at Wolves
Lopetegui, meanwhile, is set to reunite with former Porto wonderkid Ruben Neves in the Black Country, having handed the Portugal international his senior debut nearly a decade ago.
“The future of Ruben Neves is to play at a high level and he is our captain,” Lopetegui adds (BBC). “He will help us achieve our goals. I told him I wanted to manage him when he was 25 years old. Now, I am here.”
Neves has been one of the few bright sparks in a dark season at Molineux so far. His long-term future remains uncertain, however, amid reported interest from Barcelona.
According to reports, meanwhile, Wolves will back Lopetegui in the January transfer window.
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