Julen Lopetegui has given his first interview as the new manager of Wolves.
The 56-year-old officially starts work today, and is bidding to improve the club in many areas in order to achieve safety this season.
Lopetegui arrives with great pedigree, and fans are very hopeful he’ll be able to get a tune out of the players.
It has been a very underwhelming start to the new season, and hopefully there will be a good response now to the Spaniard’s arrival.
One of the most alarming things about Wolves right now is the lack of goals.
It’s just eight goals scored in the first 15 Premier League games, which is an appalling return given how many quality players Wolves have.
Many times this season, Wolves have been unable to play with a striker.
That has undoubtedly hindered Wolves, and it could be that the club move to sign someone in January.
Wolves have been struggling even more in the final third ever since Raul Jimenez suffered his skull fracture in November 2020.
Sadly, he hasn’t been able to return to the levels he was showing before that injury.
This season, the Mexican has only featured four times, having been contending with a groin injury.
Lopetegui spoke about Jimenez in a chat with Guillem Balague, which took place after Wolves’ 2-0 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday night.
He said of the 31-year-old: “We lost four players. We don’t know what is going to happen with Raul.
“We are waiting for him. We need him. He doesn’t play any minutes here (of late). I am very attentive to what is going to happen tomorrow, I think it’s tomorrow (today) the Mexico list (World Cup squad).”
Lopetegui’s comments on Raul Jimenez are interesting, given recent exit rumours
It is interesting to hear Lopetegui talk about Jimenez specifically. He did not talk about the other injured players Pedro Neto, Sasa Kalajdzic or Chiquinho. Most likely because they are all more long-term absentees.
It would appear Lopetegui is keen to get Jimenez back in the team when he can.
But it remains to be seen if that’s something that will happen.
It will not be long before the January transfer window opens, and Jimenez has previously been linked with a move back to Club America.
Seemingly, Lopetegui would not want the star leaving Molineux mid-season.