JOSE LOVING LIFE WITH NEW PACK OF WOLVES

WILLIAN JOSE is happy with the comparisons to Diego Costa – but says he needs to be judged as his own man.

The Brazilian arrived at Molineux as a striker charged with finding the goals to move Wolves clear of relegation trouble.

And he turned up from Spain with a likeness to the ex-Chelsea forward ringing in his ears from those well placed in the game.

Jose agreed a loan deal from Real Sociedad, signing as a direct replacement for long-term injury victim Raul Jimenez, who suffered a fractured skull at the end of November.

But Jose wants to forge his own path in the Premier League and not just be known as ‘Baby Diego’.

He said: “To a certain extent we have something in common.

“But everyone knows their own

qualities. For me, Diego is someone who I look up to. “He’s someone who made history in the Premier League with Chelsea and made history with Atletico Madrid.

“So hearing these words is an honour – it’s an honour to be compared to players such as him, who are world class and have made history at the clubs they have played for.”

The forward, 29, has immediately endeared himself to Wolves fans, heading off the line from Kai

Havertz during injury time in his first outing against Chelsea at Stamford

Bridge.

The spearhead followed that up by winning the penalty that saw David Luiz sent off, as nine-man Arsenal were overcome in midweek.

Wolves have benefited directly from the club’s tie-up with super-agent Jorge Mendes.

Jose was part of the Real Sociedad side that had started the campaign well and his arrival was a big boost for a side that had been struggling for goals having seen Jimenez ruled out thanks to that horrific injury, while

Diogo

Jota and

Matt

AT THE DOUBLE: Jose and (above) Costa

Doherty both left in the summer for Liverpool and Tottenham respectively.

He added: “I talked to Nuno on the first day of training. He said that he wanted me to play and that I will get a chance. He also said he knows me.

“Nuno asked me to get in the box, of course. I’m an attacker but I don’t just play in the box. I like to drop deep, get on the ball and make things happen. “And I knew a little bit about how Wolves play because for the past two or three years I’ve been watching them and it’s similar to Real Sociedad. “We have a lot of quality players and we move fast on the flanks. We play with pace and a lot of quality.

“It’s like how we played in Spain. You have to be constantly on your toes because anything can happen.”

The Portuguese contingent at Molineux has certainly made the striker feel at home. And that was important because it was clear that, while he is relishing the challenge ahead, he was not eager to leave Spain.

Jose added: “It’s a big deal for me to be here. It wasn’t easy for me to leave Real Sociedad.

“I had been there for four-and-a-half years.

“I was very happy and happy to play for them too. And my wife was pregnant. “I was at home there. But it’s important to have challenges in life. It’s important to be prepared for any moment.

“I’ve only been at Wolves for a short while.

“But already it seems like longer because my team-mates have made me welcome.

“I had a lot of messages after the Arsenal game and I was pleased to receive them. “As a club, we are comfortable where we are but we need wins and points. I think I’ll play an important part in the challenge ahead of us.”