New Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Julen Lopetegui will little doubt be utilizing this upcoming halt to proceedings to plot methods to spark a much-needed enchancment among the many present squad, with a selected subject for the previous Sevilla supervisor set to be the Midlands aspect’s shortcomings in assault.
The Molineux outfit at present rank backside within the Premier League with reference to targets scored, having registered a measly tally of simply eight targets in 15 top-flight video games, having once more fired a clean within the conflict with league leaders Arsenal final trip.
One notable subject that defeat uncovered is the dearth of a dependable centre-forward presence, with summer time signing Sasa Kalajdzic at present out with an ACL subject, whereas fellow new recruit Diego Costa has additionally been suspended in current weeks, with the previous Spain worldwide but to attain for his new membership since his free switch arrival.
Arguably the largest loss has been that of Raul Jimenez, with the 31-year-old – who suffered a doubtlessly life-threatening blow to the top simply two years in the past – having been hampered by harm within the early months of the season.
Regardless of that lack of motion, the previous Benfica man has nonetheless been included in Mexico’s squad for the upcoming World Cup, with Lopetegui having famous his need for the striker to skip the event to be able to get absolutely match.
The worry might be that the imposing marksman – who has 55 targets in 150 video games for the membership thus far – may worsen any subject have been he to characteristic in Qatar, with that doubtlessly set to have an hostile impact on Wolves if he’s not capable of take to the sector within the New Yr.
Ought to Chem Campbell be given a higher function?
Sure!
No, not satisfied
There are equally extra basic issues in regards to the 96-cap gem’s kind as he netted simply six occasions within the league final season, with it but to be seen if the £41k-per-week star can recapture his earlier, prolific streak, having scored 30 targets throughout his first two league campaigns in England.
In want of a maybe extra long-term resolution to Wolves’ present attacking woes, Lopetegui may properly be higher served turning to younger Chem Campbell to guide the assault, with the Welshman having already been handed transient probabilities to impress within the season to date.
The highly-rated 19-year-old has already made 5 Premier League appearances off the bench this season, becoming a member of the likes of Hugo Bueno and Joe Hodge to have been promoted from the academy ranks in current occasions.
Whereas the thrilling expertise has largely operated on the left flank this season, he additionally has the aptitude to characteristic via the center, with it laborious to argue with the Birmingham-born starlet’s goalscoring report having netted 9 targets and registered 9 assists at Premier League 2 stage final season.
Campbell – who journalist Josh Bunting described as being “at all times on the transfer” – may properly doubtlessly be deployed as a part of a extra fluid attacking lineup in Lopetegui’s aspect, with the 56-year-old notably stating in his current press convention that “generally you may play with no striker and you may rating targets.”
Having been described as a “reduce above” by journalist Liam Eager after that includes for the membership’s U21 aspect within the Papa John’s Trophy this season, {the teenager} is seemingly deserving of a extra outstanding function within the first group.
Not solely would it not doubtlessly save Wolves from having to purchase a brand new ahead addition in January, however it may additionally see Lopetegui discover the membership’s long-term inheritor to Jimenez in assault, if Campbell can go on to glitter within the senior set-up.
