Julen Lopetegui
Julen Lopetegui believes it would be a ‘good decision’ for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Adama Traore to avoid a summer divorce. Adama, 27, is out of contract at Molineux in the summer and speculation is mounting over his future. Italian club Napoli have been heavily linked with Adama, who declined to comment on his contract situation after scoring the winner against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. Lopetegui is desperate for his countryman to continue at Wolves beyond the summer. However, it remains to be seen whether Wolves chairman Jeff Shi will return to the negotiating table after Adama’s previous refusals.
Julen Lopetegui said: “He is one player I want to continue here. I think it would be a good decision for him and the club. We are working on this and he is working in a normal way so I am not worried about it. The most important thing is to be ready for the present, but in the same time be ready for the future.”
Lopetegui has used Adama from the bench in nine of his 11 Premier League games. The Spaniard is no bit-part player though, having been introduced before the 60th minute in eight of his nine substitute outings.
Julen Lopetegui continued: “Adama is a very special player because his strengths are very particular. He is trying to improve in other things. He only wants more and works in a very good way. I have seen him with a big commitment and happy. Of course all the players want to play more but he is a very important player for us. Sometimes you put the focus on the line-up, but in a lot of matches the players on the bench are key. Sometimes they make you better, sometimes they don’t help you. That is why they have to be ready. They are key players and the bench is very important, not just for me but for a lot of teams.”
Lopetegui, however, insists he never pre-plans substitutions.
Julen Lopetegui said: “Football matches are melons. You don’t know what kind of melon until you open the melon. You can have one idea in your mind, I am sure it will be different. You try to react depending on the melon.
