Why Wolves should offer a permanent deal to Raul Jimenez
Wolves have made a pretty decent start to their life in the Premier League. Nuno Espirito Santo’s men are well on their way to match the expectations that were put up by many – a top-half finish this season. They are currently at 10th place in the standings, with 22 points on board.
The good thing for them is that they are only four points behind Manchester United, who are sixth in the table. The Old Gold, in fact, made quite a bright start to their campaign that came to a slight halt at the end of November. However, having beaten Chelsea and Newcastle United in the space of four days during last week, they seem to be showing good form again.
As they approach the critical festive period of the season, where games come thick and fast, the manager needs to make his team selections as per the recovery sessions of the players after each match.
The only little chink in the Wolves armour is in the goal-scoring department. They have only netted 17 goals in 16 league games. The Molineux outfit didn’t even score two goals in a game until last Saturday when they beat Newcastle 2-1.
They only have Raul Jimenez as the only viable option for the number nine slot. The Mexican is here on loan from Portuguese club Benfica, hence, he will be out of the club come next summer.
The 27-year-old has done well whenever he has led the line, scoring four goals and supplying four assists in 16 appearances, with the previous one coming from the bench.
He possesses the physical abilities to battle with the centre-backs, hold the ball up and allow the support runners to join him. The striker has a good turn of pace in short spaces, which surprises the defenders at times.
He may not be as lethal as one would like him to be but the Mexican does make the team play better.
Hence, rather than spending on a new striker and taking a risk on him, Wolves should concentrate on making Jimenez stay beyond the end of the season. The best solution is to offer him a permanent deal with good wages.
It will be a good move for the manager as he now has the idea of how to build a team around the 27-year-old. The latter has settled down well in the Premier League and might be tempted to stay at the club if a deal is offered.