Adama Traore has given a glowing review of working under Julen Lopetegui at Wolves.
The winger started on the bench against Manchester United on Saturday, but was introduced at half-time for Diego Costa.
In the end, he was unable to help Wanderers get anything from the game as Marcus Rashford scored for the visitors.
But Traore made a big difference for Wolves.
And it was noticeable how hard he worked out of possession too. Traore is not particularly known for his pressing, but on Saturday he could been seen chasing things down and working to get back to help Nelson Semedo.
It was refreshing to see, and Traore spoke after the game about the impact Lopetegui has had. And it’s clear he really is loving it under the new head coach.
He said (via Wolves official): “He knows me from when I was in Spain and he believes in me and I’m going to give that belief back in the pitch.
“We believe in him and like you’re seeing in the pitch, there’s an excitement. But we’re going to keep believing in him, we’re going to keep working and the good results are going to come.
“Everything has changed. He’s changed everything; the way to play, the way he talks, the way he talks to the players and the staff and everyone inside of the club. But our focus is to believe in him and follow his plan.”
His comments follow similar remarks from Mathues Nunes.
The midfielder also pointed out that things have changed in a big way at Molineux.
He was another player on Saturday who worked really hard. It was probably one of his best showings in a Wolves shirt to date.
Encouraging comments from Adama Traore about Julen Lopetegui as contract winds down
It is interesting to hear Traore speaking like this about Lopetegui.
He has clearly had a major impact already, and Traore appears to prefer how things are now.
Of course at the moment, speculation is rife about Traore because his contract expires later this year.
He has long been reluctant to sign a new contract. But that was before a top-class coach walked through the door.
Traore may still be set on leaving the club this summer. But surely from these comments, there is a small chance of him U-turning and signing an extension.
If Lopetegui can be the man to unlock him, then the 26-year-old might just want to prolong his stay.