Wolves are set to welcome Fulham to the Midlands for an important mid-week Premier League matchup.
Vitor Pereira comes into Tuesday’s game between Wolves vs Fulham off the back of a huge win. Wolves beat Bournemouth 1-0 on Saturday to boost their chances of Premier League survival.
In contrast, the Cottagers, who are still in with a chance of European football next season, are looking to bounce back after they suffered a 2-0 defeat against Crystal Palace.
It’s not just a need for points these two teams share though. One important player has represented both clubs and will undoubtedly receive a very warm welcome when he returns to the Midlands on Tuesday night.
READ: What Nelson Semedo just said about his Wolves contract is very encouraging for Vitor Pereira
Raul Jimenez’s goalscoring record at Wolves and Fulham compared
Raul Jimenez spent several years at Molineux. Initially joining on loan from Benfica in 2018, Wolves made the Mexican’s transfer permanent the following summer for around £30 million.
Although Jimenez will look back fondly at his time with the Old Gold, November 2020 saw him suffer a life-threatening brain injury. Colliding mid-air with then-Arsenal defender David Luiz during a corner kick, the striker fractured his skull.
Despite the odds of playing again against him, Jimenez did remarkably well to fight back and return to the pitch just nine months later.
| Raul Jimenez at Wolves | Statistic |
| Games played | 166 |
| Total goals | 57 |
| Goal average per game | 0.34 |
| Headers | 9 |
| Penalties | 12 |
| Goals in first-half | 19 |
| Goals in second-half | 38 |
| Game-winning goals | 24 |
| Braces | 3 |
| Hat-tricks | 0 |
After making his return, the Mexican spent another season with Wolves but struggled to recapture his best form. He was sold to Fulham in 2023 for approximately £5.5 million.
Now in his second season at Craven Cottage, Jimenez continues to perform in the Premier League.
Despite his lengthy layoff, the 33-year-old has maintained a similar goalscoring average with Fulham as the one he produced with Wolves before his serious injury.
| Raul Jimenez at Fulham | Statistic |
| Games played | 58 |
| Total goals | 18 |
| Goal average per game | 0.31 |
| Headers | 3 |
| Penalties | 5 |
| Goals in first-half | 10 |
| Goals in second-half | 8 |
| Game-winning goals | 5 |
| Braces | 2 |
| Hat-tricks | 0 |
His position analysed
An experienced outright striker, Jimenez has unsurprisingly spent the majority of his playing career playing the furthest forward.
During his five years with Wolves, Jimenez scored 56 goals while playing upfront, with just one coming from out wide.
| Played as (at Wolves) | Games | Goals | Avg. GPP |
| Centre-forward | 162 | 56 | 0.35 |
| Right-winger | 4 | 1 | 0.25 |
The same kind of story has happened with Fulham. Jimenez has played just one game out wide — a game he failed to score in.
All 18 of his goals for Fulham, to date, have come from a central striking position.
| Played as (at Fulham) | Games | Goals | Avg. GPP |
| Centre-forward | 51 | 18 | 0.31 |
| Left-winger | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Proving his effectiveness as a striker, Jimenez has shown he is capable of playing as a lone striker, or with a partner.
The Mexican’s numbers show consistency and, despite his age and the adversity he has faced, prove he very much deserves to play in England’s top flight.