Uncharacteristically languishing in the bottom half of the table, this month’s transfer window was always going to be an important one for Wolverhampton Wanderers. And, with the signing of Willian Jose on an initial loan deal, they’ve ensured the return of that crucial attacking output at Molineux.
The Brazilian arrives from Real Sociedad a classic out-and-out centre-forward- something those at Wolves have so desperately missed this campaign. He arrives as the newly found focal point to an attack which has been as silent as ever this season.
Without Raul Jimenez, Wolves’ usual sound of scintillating football has transformed into nothing more than a silenced, disorganised and ultimately frustrated choir. Now, with a new lead singer in the form of Willian Jose, they can ensure a better second-half to the season.
Willian Jose: The End to Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Goalscoring Woes
Season-Defining Move
Without their Mexican talisman in Raul Jimenez, Wolves have predictably struggled to find the creative spark needed for a Europa League push. Without him, they lack the link-up play he provides; they lack that final piece to the jigsaw of success.
With just 18-year-old Fabio Silva to turn to, they were always going to lack that crucial presence leading the front line. Diogo Jota has moved on; Pedro Neto and Daniel Podence have shown sparks of life, but, without Jimenez, Wolves lack the clinical nature which has provided them with so much success since promotion back to the Premier League.
Adama Traore, who was unstoppable last season; who many believed could be worth up to £70 million; who many believed was the key to Espirito Santo’s side, has failed to find his form without his partner in crime in Jimenez.
Experience of Willian Jose Key
So, with Wolves 14th, something had to give; money had to be spent; a striker had to be found. And with the Portuguese national team all but cleared out by the recruitment team, they turned to 29-year-old Brazilian Willian Jose.
The experienced forward, admittedly, doesn’t arrive having bagged goals in abundance this season. But, the presence his 6’2 stature provides should be enough in its own right to get the goals flowing at Molineux once more.
His aerial prowess, alongside experience, can provide Espirito Santo with a crucial focal point once more.
The Brazilian offers Wolves the chance to change their tactical approach. Too often this season, we have seen the same repetitive, possession-based football fail to break the opposition down.
And, when asked to play on the counter, a tactic Wolves usually utilise so dangerously, they have lacked the fluidity needed; they have lacked the crucial frontman to hold the ball up.
Willian Jose can provide that missing link; he can hold the ball up whilst the likes of Traore make classic bursting runs in behind; most crucially, he can play the role of Jimenez in the forward’s absence, and propel Wolverhampton Wanderers up the table once more.
Fabio Silva wasn’t ready for the role; he was brought in for the future and not the present. Willian Jose, in contrast, has been brought in to help re-discover the scintillating side of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Brazilian, should he provide the goals, could turn out to be Espirito Santo’s most important signing yet.
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