New Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui is likely to be tuning into World Cup for a couple of reasons.
Five Wanderers stars are currently in Qatar with their national teams.
Ruben Neves, Jose Sa, Matheus Nunes, Hwang Hee-chan and Raul Jimenez are all dreaming about lifting the famous trophy on December 18 at the Lusail Stadium.
The quintet will occupy some of Lopetegui’s focus, as he seeks to work out how best to set his new team up going forwards.
Lopetegui will likely be particularly interested in Jimenez’s level of involvement.
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He has already suggested that he is not best pleased that he is with Mexico, considering how little he has played recently.
Jimenez did play 45 minutes for Mexico against Sweden earlier this week.
So we might be seeing him a little bit, but there’s another player in that Mexico squad that Lopetegui might want to keep an eye out for.
Earlier this month, it was claimed that Wolves held an interest in Alexis Vega, who plays his club football with Guadalajara.
It is possible Wolves will make a move for Vega, 24, in January, especially if he has a strong World Cup.
Hwang Hee-chan was linked with an exit from the club at the end of the last window. He might be an outgoing in the winter window, and Adama Traore’s contract expires next summer so he’s another who could leave in January.
Vega arrives in Qatar in very good form for the national team. He’s scored in each of Mexico’s last three games against Colombia, Iraq and Sweden.
Alexis Vega is a livewire and should be scouted by new Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui, who’ll surely be watching Raul Jimenez
Lopetegui will be a very busy man at the moment, as he seeks to prepare Wolves for after the World Cup.
But he is still likely to catch bits of the tournament, especially with Wolves needing to reinforce in January.
Lopetegui is probably going to have a close eye on what Mexico are doing because of Jimenez.
But the Wolves boss should also keep an eye out for Vega to see how he gets on.
He’s been brilliant lately for his country and appears to be the big attacking threat for them right now.
If he has a good tournament, perhaps he’ll be worth considering by Wanderers. Especially if Hwang and/or Adama leave.