Coming into Tuesday, Wolverhampton Wanderers were sputtering in form and struggling in attack as the busy holiday period was approaching. They had just one win in their previous five matches leading up to the midweek clash with Chelsea.
In that poor five-game span, they had only scored three goals and had lost star striker Raul Jimenez to a serious head injury. The Wolves attack needed to find a spark in front of goal without the Mexican international leading the line.
In their dramatic 2-1 victory over Chelsea, they got that spark from their wings. Daniel Podence and Pedro Neto both scored in the second half to secure a crucial three points. The pair are both on good form and have taken over the burden of creating for this side in the final third.
Wolverhampton Attack Finds a Spark on the Wings
Climbing the Table
Wolves have done extremely well since returning to the top flight a little over two seasons ago. They have finished seventh each of the last two campaigns but their start to the 2020/21 season has not been quite up to the standard they recently set. They still have a good chance to challenge for a European spot with the table currently congested in the middle.
Wolves sit in tenth after their victory over Chelsea but have the same amount of points as sixth place Manchester City. Along with collecting positive results, they also need to correct their early-season deficit in goal difference. A couple of lopsided losses to Liverpool, Man City, and West Ham United have them sitting in the negative in that category.
Replacement Piece on Attack
Podence was brought in during the January transfer window almost a year ago. He took a while to get up to speed in the Premier League but has been excellent so far in his second season. The Portuguese winger brings both pace and creativity to the Wolves attack.
He plays with confidence and aggression that this side needs after Diego Jota’s move to Liverpool in the summer. After being used mostly as a substitute last season, he has entrenched himself on the team sheet starting 12 of 13 matches. The 25-year-old is improving each week, and starting to show he has the ability to be a star in this league. As his confidence grows, he’ll become even more involved in the way Wolves attack. He left his imprint firmly on the Chelsea match.
Youth Movement
On the other wing, the young Neto is also ascending to a higher status with his play this season. The 20-year-old’s stoppage-time game-winner against Chelsea tied him with Jimenez for the team lead in goals. Like Podence he brings pace and creativity to this Wolves side.
The youngster is also proving to be quite clinical in front of goal. Of his nine shots on target this season, four of them have found the back of the net. Neto loves running at defenders with the ball at his feet and brings an extra bit of flair to this squad. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo has emphasised his side’s need for more solutions to offset the absence of their main striker. Neto has the ability and mentality to step up and provide those answers.
Time to Step Up for Rest of Wolverhampton Attack
Podence and Neto have done their part to rise to the challenge with Jimenez out of action. Now it is time for the rest of the Wolves attack to follow suit. The three aforementioned players have scored all but three of this side’s goals this season.
Adama Traore is at the forefront of those players who need to step up. After showing flashes of what he can produce last campaign, he has been largely underwhelming through 13 matches. He has the kind of physical attributes that can make him a nightmare for defenders. Few, if any, players have the combination of strength and speed he possesses. He has far too much ability and skill to not be contributing more goals. Traore must improve his production as the season wears on.
Summer signing Fabio Silva has been thrust into a much bigger role now, and he needs to find form in front of goal. The 18-year-old’s learning curve has gotten much steeper now that he will be counted on as the starting striker.
Jimenez has been released from the hospital and was even able to visit his teammates on the training ground recently. However, there is no timetable for his return to the pitch. This puts a lot of pressure on the two talented wingers to carry this squad. They have shown the ability to do so but will need help as the fixtures pile up over the next few weeks.
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