One-time Wolves striker Willian Jose is in outstanding form at Real Betis with six goals in the former Premier League loanee’s last three games.
Of course, some context is required here.
Four of Willian Jose’s six strikes came against non-league CD Hernan Cortes in the early rounds of the Copa del Rey, after all. But still, well-taken finishes in La Liga clashes with both Osasuna and Mallorca should not be dismissed quite so readily, the former Wolves loanee making a trademark dart towards the front post before finishing ruthlessly during Saturday’s 2-0 victory over the latter.
The veteran Brazilian now has nine goals in just 13 games this season. As such, he has already outstripped his tally from the entirety of 2022/23.
Wolves flop Willian Jose can’t stop scoring
“There are players who live by scoring goals. And it is very good for Willian Jose to score,” Betis’ former Manchester City, West Ham and Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini says of his 31-year-old targetman, Jose thriving after being instructed to stop dropping deep and stay within the width of the goalposts.
“We have managed to change his game,” Pellegrini adds, via Estadio Deportivo. “He was very far from the box, very far back. He lacked the hunger to score a goal. He’s scoring goals now, and I am very happy.
“We generate a good volume of chances and we need (our strikers) to finish.”
Nine goals in 13 games
Jose’s current form is in stark contrast to his miserable spell at Molineux. The former Real Madrid B frontman and ex-Tottenham Hotspur target found the net only once in 18 Premier League games after moving to England during the second half of the 2020/21 campaign.
Wolves, at least, have a decent crop of talented centre-forwards at their disposal these days. Sasa Kalajdzic back after injury, Matheus Cunha instrumental if profligate, and Hwang Hee-Chan in the form of his life.
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