Nuno: "Vallejo can leave, it hasn't worked out for him at Wolves"
Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo says Jesús Vallejo needs to find a club where he can play regularly: "He wants to play and the talent is there."
Jesús Vallejo will return to Real Madrid this month after struggling during his loan spell with Wolves, manager Nuno Espirito Santo announced today. The Wolves coach wants the centre-back, who joined on a season-long loan deal last year, to get more regular playing time, having only handed him a couple of run-outs in the Premier League this season. Once back in Madrid, Vallejo is expected to be loaned out again.
It's time for Vallejo to go, says Nuno
"I'm going to be clear: Jesús probably is going because he wants to play," Nuno told reporters on Friday ahead of Wolves' FA Cup Third Round tie with Manchester United. "He's a young and talented player that we brought here with high expectations, but it didn't work out. It's time for him to go and find a club where he can play and keep on progressing because the talent is there. It's based on reality. He had moments that he played, moments that he performed well, and some moments he didn't perform well. That's the case of Vallejo. Clearly, it didn't work out. When things don't work out, you have to look at yourself as a coaching staff. How can you make things work for the best? Sometimes you don't have time, it's three parts: you, the player, the clubs, all these things."
Vallejo's exit is expected to be sanctioned as Willy Boly is close to a return to action. The 28-year-old is back in training following an ankle fracture he sustained in October. "He's running already on the pitch and I'm so happy," said Nuno. "Naturally, he'll improve – it's a good sign."