Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui says there is still time for players to stake a claim for a place in his squad next season. Lopetegui’s team are at home to Everton on Saturday before their campaign finishes on May 28, at Arsenal. The manager has guided Wolves to Premier League safety, having taken over in November when they were bottom of the table. But while he says he has a good idea of his plans for next year, he says it is not too late for players to influence them.
Julen Lopetegui said: “Why not, of course. They are important matches, each match is important, we are competing in the Premier League so we have to be at our best and compete well. After, we are going to take decisions, after these two matches, not before.”
The manager says that should act as extra motivation,
Julen Lopetegui saying: “I hope it is because the match and the competition deserves this. I hope that each player that plays is going to be ready, above all because we are going to play against a very good team that is fighting to survive.”
Lopetegui’s first game in charge was against Everton, a 2-1 win at Goodison Park in December that lifted Wolves off the bottom of the table. They went on to secure safety with three games to play in a hectic period that has given Lopetegui little time to reflect.
Julen Lopetegui said: “It seems a lot of years ago, it is only months! It was my first match and was important. I think, being honest, we didn’t deserve to win this match. But it was important for us to believe more. It was a very difficult moment and we achieved three important points.”
Wolves go into the game in 13th , on 40 points, while Everton, on 32, are just one place and one point clear of the relegation zone.
