Bruno Lage has challenged Patrick Cutrone to find his feet at Wolverhampton Wanderers – but he has cast fresh doubt over the future of Rafa Mir. Lage has been willing to give Cutrone a chance to prove himself, but the situation is very fluid so the 23-year-old could yet leave Wolves this month. Revealing a conversation he’s had with Cutrone,
Bruno Lage said: “Even in the game against Stoke, I said to Cutrone, ‘You are here two years, every time on loan, but the fans are singing your song, so you need to prove something on the pitch. ‘If you want to change something it’s not the change I give to you in training and in games. The people, you never play here and you have a song. They’re waiting for you’. It’s true, right?! Go there and show something for the people, that’s the job.”
Spanish striker Mir is in a slightly different situation. When he returned to Spain with Huesca 18 months ago, Mir’s stock was on the floor following a hapless loan spell at Nottingham Forest. However, after helping Huesca win promotion with nine goals in 18 games in just half a season, Mir netted 13 times in La Liga last term despite his team’s struggles and eventual relegation. Mir led the line for Spain in Saturday’s Olympic final defeat to Brazil and speculation is rife surrounding his future. The 24-year-old only has one year remaining on his contract at Wolves and La Liga champions Atletico Madrid have entered into talks over signing the striker. And, judging the Lage’s latest comments, Mir’s future looks set to lie away from Molineux.
Bruno Lage said: “It’s like when you have a marriage, you want to marry your wife but also your wife wants to marry you. I like him, I know him before, so we need to wait to see what happens. Top player, he’s doing well, I know he has a past in the club, like Cutrone.”
Cutrone has been heavily involved in Lage’s first pre-season as head coach and netted the only goal in Wolves’ 1-0 win over Real Betis last month. Many supporters hope the departure of Nuno Espirito Santo will help the Italian finally settle in the Midlands after unsuccessful loan spells with Fiorentina and Valencia since his £16million switch from AC Milan in 2019. He remains behind Raul Jimenez and Fabio Silva in the pecking order though and Lage wants to sign another striker before the transfer window shuts on August 31.
