Pablo Sarabia started the season as a fringe player, and there was actually a feeling for some that he wouldn’t be at Wolves for much longer – but the Spaniard now finds himself a crucial player at Molineux, and he’s now shared why he’s been much improved of late.
Sarabia had a tricky start to the season, with Gary O’Neil quickly settling on Hwang Hee-chan, Pedro Neto and Matheus Cunha as his main attacking trio.
The star had to bide his time, and it was the first Premier League game with Tottenham Hotspur in November that put him on the manager’s radar.
Sarabia scored an incredible volley, and then set up Mario Lemina for the winner at Molineux.
He was back on the bench for the next couple of games, but Sarabia then started against Burnley, which was the start of his rise at Molineux.
The player has today been speaking about his upturn in form for Wolves…
Pablo Sarabia says he’s made football and personal changes to help him improve for Wolves
Sarabia has undoubtedly been one of Wolves’ most important players over the last few months.
Unfortunately, O’Neil has not been able to deploy Cunha, Hwang and Neto together recently, with all three suffering hamstring injuries at various points.
Sarabia has therefore been able to stay in the team – and he has been delivering.
The 31-year-old is now up to three goals and nine assists for the season, and the former Paris Saint-Germain star has definitely turned a corner.
A lot of fans have completely changed their perception of him now, and Sarabia has explained why he’s been able to improve.
He said while on international duty with Spain (via Marca): “We’ve had to change things, both in terms of the game and personally. It’s played differently and I think I’m enjoying a great season now. I’m very proud of how I’ve adapted.”
From zero to hero
Whatever Sarabia has done behind the scenes has worked a treat – because he is now very much one of Wolves’ most important players.
Fans were rightly questioning him at the start of the season, when he just wasn’t making an impact. The Carabao Cup match with Blackpool aside.
The feelings of frustration for many had carried over from the 2022/23 season, with Sarabia – the club’s highest earner on around £90,000 per week – struggling to make an impact under Julen Lopetegui.
But he has come to the fore for Wolves over the last few months while key players have been absent, and he deserves great credit for the imprivements he’s made, especially after having been vocal about finding it hard to adapt to English football.