The calls for Adama Traore to produce consistent end product for Wolves were as constant as they were frustrating.
That is the main reason many Wolves fans would have thought the club could get by without him when he was loaned to Barcelona in January.
My Europa League Predictions.
But since he returned to the Camp Nou, Traore has four assists already, two in La Liga and another two in the Europa League, as per Transfermarkt.
That is as many as he got in his whole Wolves career and that has led to an unflattering comparison which can mean whatever you like.
Does it mean Traore was held back by Wolves’ tactics? Is he now happier in Spain, or trying harder, or more loved?
In truth, it likely reflects that Traore is now playing in a dominant side which sees a lot of the ball and retains elite forwards who can make and finish chances.
Wolves have scored a low number of goals this season, and that is the main question mark around their bid for European football.
They do not give many away, but they probably need to find the net more often if they are to push to that next level, and at least one more regular source of goals is needed from somewhere.
Wolves have their way of doing things, which is working on the whole and Barcelona are trying to find theirs under Xaxi, and it is working for Traore so far.
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