Julen Lopetegui has told Wolverhampton Wanderers’ returning World Cup stars to forget about what happened in Qatar and focus on their survival mission. Jimenez, 31, could play his first competitive Wolves game in almost four months next week when Gillingham visit Molineux in the Carabao Cup fourth round. Lopetegui, who wasn’t in favour of Jimenez’s participation in the World Cup due to a lack of fitness, has called on the striker to focus on Wolves.
Julien Lopetegui said: “It’s important that they return, not only physically but mentally they have to be here, with a big commitment for Wolves. Sometimes it’s not easy, I have lived a World Cup and it is very intense. They have to forget and focus on us here and help us to be better. I have had the chance to talk with Hee-chan, also with Raul, and on Friday the Portuguese players will join us too.”
Wolves have already been linked with numerous players ahead of the January transfer window and Lopetegui has publicly declared his interest in Atletico Madrid duo Felipe and Matheus Cunha. On transfers,
Julien Lopetegui added: “We have to be very clear that the main actors are here. Afterwards, I don’t know what’s going to happen. We want to improve our squad, we need to improve our squad. We have to improve our competitiveness. But at the same time we have to increase the confidence and the players have to believe in themselves and show they are better players than they have shown. They must change the situation. We can help them but the key is their determination to change it.”
