Willian Jose’s loan spell at Wolves last season didn’t work out at all. The striker himself has admitted as much.
Earlier this week, he said to Noticias de Gipuzkoa: “
“It has been a very good experience for me. I wanted to go out, I needed to go out, I needed a change and it has been very good for me. Of course things did not go as expected, but I am very happy,” said Jose of his Wolves loan.
“The Premier League is the best competition in the world, very competitive, with a lot of strength and speed. At Wolverhampton there were very important players and that also plays a part.
“I went with the expectation of doing a good job of a high quality, but I could not. I came being aware of how difficult it was to play in the Premier League It is a very difficult competition. Also, it was very cold.”
“In San Sebastián it is very cold, but in England much more. Despite everything, it has been a very good experience. I finished the season very well, I didn’t finish it playing, but I was happy.
“Of course I expected to play a little more, but football is like that.”
Unsurprisingly, Wolves didn’t take up the option they had to sign him for 25 million euros (£21.5 million) after that.
But because of that decision, Mundo Deportivo report that they had to pay between 3-4 million euros (£2.6 – £3.4 million) in compensation.
Not ideal, but Jose was worth the gamble
Jose didn’t work out, but Wolves had to take the gamble on trying to get a striker in for the short term who could replace Raul Jimenez.
Fabio Silva was thrust into the limelight too early and loaning in Jose was better than doing nothing.
Paying at least £2.6 million for a player you’re not even going to sign isn’t an ideal start to a crucial summer for Wolves.
But it makes far more sense than buying him outright and Wolves can move on next season now.
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