Andy Thompson has praised Pablo Sarabia for his impact at Wolves recently, after the former full-back questioned the Spaniard.
Sarabia has become a prominent figure for Wanderers over the last couple of months, after catching the eye during a cameo against Tottenham Hotspur.
Sarabia scored one of the goals of the season against Spurs, and then set up Mario Lemina for a late winner. A couple of games later, the 31-year-old was finally handed his first start for two months by Gary O’Neil, and he has remained in the team ever since.
Sarabia has now started the last six matches for Wolves, with the team picking up 13 points across those games.
It’s his joint-best run of starts since he came to the club – and Thompson has liked what he’s been seeing in recent weeks…
Andy Thompson says Pablo Sarabia has been ‘brilliant’ for Wolves lately after he questioned him
The impact of Sarabia cannot be denied.
It was recently reported that he was the top creator in the Premier League, and he’s now up to eight assists across all competitions for the season.
Sarabia had stepped up to the plate in Pedro Neto’s absence, with the winger having been sat at the top of the Premier League assists chart before his hamstring injury.
This upturn in form is refreshing to see, and former Molineux full-back Thompson admits the £90,000-a-week player is starting to change his opinion of him.
He said (Wolves official): “I think he’s got better with each of the games. He’s looking a lot more comfortable, but what it is, by playing more games, he’s got that match fitness. He’s looking sharper, his decision-making and his quality with the ball has been brilliant, and I just think he’s got better with each game. He moves the ball really well and can put the ball anywhere when he’s got it, he’s got that quality and the range of passing, but there’s definitely been a big improvement with him.
“I questioned him coming into the team at one stage because he came with a big name, a big reputation, and I hadn’t really seen it from him, but we’re starting to see it now and the quality that he’s got.”
Sarabia is key for Wolves
Sarabia is now really starting to find his feet in a Wolves shirt and that is a relief for fans, many of whom were starting to wonder if he’d ever come good at Molineux.
But perhaps all he needed was a show of faith, and a run in the team.
O’Neil decided to give him those things and, while he can sometimes be guilty of slowing things down and lacking physicality, he is certainly having an impact in terms of creating chances.
Hwang Hee-chan has now gone to the Asian Cup and so, you would imagine Sarabia will remain an important player for O’Neil in the coming weeks, although the more dynamic Jean-Ricner Bellegarde will also be fighting for minutes.