Raul will rule again says Lage
BRUNO LAGE insists Raul Jimenez is still his main man – even if Wolves sign another striker in this transfer window.
Jimenez, 31, scored his opening goal of the season in Tuesday’s 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Preston – his first strike since March.
The Mexico star has been striving for his best form ever since a sickening collision with then-arsenal defender David Luiz in November 2020, which fractured his skull.
Wolves are in talks with Stuttgart to sign their £17million-rated 6ft-7in forward Sasa Kalajdzic, 25.
Molineux boss Lage has used Hwang Hee-chan and Daniel Podence as a ‘false nine’ so far this season in the Premier League.
But neither possess the presence of Jimenez, who is expected to return to the starting line-up for today’s visit of Newcastle United.
“I’m not saying Hwang and Daniel don’t play the position well, because they did everything we asked for,” said Lage, 46.
“But when you have a striker like Raul, you want him in the team. Goals will come. He started preseason very well with two goals in two games and I was so happy with him.”
Jimenez, who cost a then club-record £33m in 2019 after a loan season, has scored 55 goals for Wolves – 27 in 2019-20 – and Lage backs him to return to his pre-head-injury form.
“I think so because of the good things he does in training,” added the Portuguese coach. “Last season was hard for him – how many times did Raul arrive here from Mexico at 6pm to play the next day?
“He scored six goals the season after one year out, so this was good.
“We expect more, but give us time – I believe we can be in a good position, with goals, dynamics, performances and
points.”