New Wolves manager Lopetegui worried about Mexican striker Raúl Jiménez
Raúl Jiménez had not played an official match since last August 31, when he suffered a groin injury
Upon speaking with Raúl Jiménez, the new coach at Wolverhampton, Julen Lopetegui expressed his concern for the striker’s well-being at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he will be representing Mexico. The striker hasn’t played much this season due to injury, and the coach is worried about his fitness for the upcoming tournament.
The Spanish coach said, “I haven’t talked to all the players, but I have talked to two or three. I spoke with Raúl, about the situation with the national team in Mexico. He worries me because he hasn’t played a minute.”
The Mexican has not played much this season
Raúl Jiménez had not played an official match since last August 31, when he suffered a groin injury. The same one that had him off the pitch and that had him at risk of missing out on a place in the final list of the Mexican National Team for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
The Mexican striker has only been on the field for 297 minutes in the 2022-2023 season. He has played four games, three in the Premier League and one in the Carabao Cup, where he has scored one goal.
Lopetegui was very clear about what he thought of his decision to go to the World Cup.
“It worries me because we need everyone, but we need Raúl and his best version. Let’s hope he comes back that way. I respect his team, but the most important thing for me is not the World Cup. It’s Wolves. We have to protect our goals. I spoke with him, I respect the decision of the player and the coach, but the most important thing for me is Wolves,” the Spanish manager said.
Mexico will play Poland in their first tournament game, and Giménez is poised to start for El Tri. For Tata Martino, the Wolves’ number nine is his starter, and he will do all he can to have him on the pitch.