Exclusive Hugo Bueno interview: Wolves loanee on Feyenoord move, season ambitions and future plans

The Spaniard was underused last season due to the form of Rayan Ait-Nouri, but with Wolves' lack of defenders it was seen as a big gamble to let him go.

In the short-term Wolves would be without a capable Premier League player in an area they are not blessed with depth, however, the financial incentives involved in the deal and the possibility of developing Bueno's talents even further, meant it was a gamble the club's hierarchy felt was worth taking.

On a season-long loan at Dutch side Feyenoord, in which Wolves have no recall option in January, the structure of the deal was built around Bueno playing as many minutes as possible with financial penalties if his playing time is limited.

The 22-year-old has had two unfortunate spells on the sidelines this season with injuries, yet he has still cemented himself as an important part of a Champions League club and for Bueno, it was about getting back to his best.

"Since the first day I'm really enjoying it a lot, the life here in Rotterdam especially," Bueno exclusively told the Express & Star. 

"The city is really, really nice, and then football-wise it's been amazing.

"It's a really big club and you feel a little bit of that pressure as well, and it's always good when you go to the games.

"It's been really good, to be honest. 

"Sometimes you need a little bit of a change. I also needed a little bit more confidence in me, trying to show myself in another league, in another experience.

"I was really motivated when this option came to the table. I was just looking for more minutes, for more experiences, and I'm really happy for this decision.

"The Champions League is something special that you always dream to play. For me, it's the best competition when you play against the best teams in Europe.

"It was a really big point that motivated me a lot to come here as well."

Just four minutes into his Feyenoord debut, Bueno whipped in a teasing cross from the left that resulted in a headed goal. 

The first injury may have curtailed that brilliant start, but he has managed three assists from left-back this season as he continues to improve on his attacking output.

"There's always room to improve and I'm always looking for that every day, to add things to my game," he added.

"Goal contributions, of course, are the statistics and all these things are really important nowadays.

"That's why I'm happy to help the team in those things with the assists. 

"I want to improve, a little bit, the goals. As a left-back, it's not easy, but I think there's something that I can definitely improve and score some goals and help the team in that sense."

When Bueno signed for Wolves' academy as a 16-year-old in 2019, he arrived as a player used to playing further forward as a winger or number 10.

He quickly developed into a tricky left-back known for his superior crossing ability.

"As a left-back or a player that likes to play on the wing, it's really, really important to put those balls in difficult situations for the defenders," Bueno said.

"It's something that you have to practice a lot. Personally, for me, I find it really easy sometimes to try and put the ball in those situations.

"Crossing is something that I always try to do my best and to put the striker in the best situation possible for him to score."

Feyenoord currently sit fourth in the Eredivisie and 10 points off leaders PSV, after 17 games.

In the new Champions League format they are 18th out of 36 teams, with three wins from six games.

From last month Bueno was back in the team following his second injury and playing regularly again with lofty ambitions for the campaign.

"The first one, of course, is trying to win every game because this team is what it demands," Bueno said when asked about his ambitions this season.

"For me personally, and with the team, to try to win trophies. That's one thing that you always need to have in mind.

"We are playing in the Champions League and we are doing really well at the moment, so another thing will be to get qualified to the next round and who knows, trying to do our best to keep going and keep enjoying that lovely competition."

Bueno impressed clubs across Europe as he broke into the Wolves first team and has only enhanced his reputation when he has been available for Feyenoord.

With that attention often comes transfer speculation and interest from Spanish giants Barcelona has long been rumoured - but Bueno is unmoved by the speculation.

"Rumours are rumours, I'm not really focusing on anything," he said.

"I'm a present guy, I like to think in the present and what I'm doing tomorrow. Right now, I'm just focusing on me.

"I'm trying to be in the best shape possible, trying to help my team to win games.

"But I'm not really focusing on that, whatever happens, it will happen, but it's not something that is worrying me.

"I'm just focusing on what can I do to get better every day."

Plenty of Wolves fans have questioned the decision to let Bueno leave and the question now remains what role he will have at the club at the end of his season-long loan.

Gary O'Neil said last summer that Bueno will come back and compete to play for Wolves next season, but after he was sacked and replaced by Vitor Pereira, the future is less certain.

For the player, he wants to play for Wolves in the Premier League, but admits that playing regularly is important for him and will have an impact on his future.

"At the moment I'm just thinking about doing my best here," Bueno said when asked about his future.

"I'm just trying to work and do the best for Feyenoord and for myself and in the future we'll see. 

"At the moment I'm just focusing on right now and next season we'll see.

"I would love to come back but as a football player we really need to play and feel confidence, that's the main thing. 

"That was one of the reasons that I decided to go on loan because you need to be confident, you need to feel that confidence in you to play good.

"I'm looking for that 100 per cent. This season, next season, just every season in my career."

Having signed from small Spanish side CD Areosa for just £3,000 as a 16-year-old and rising up through the ranks at Wolves, Bueno has a connection with the club.

Regardless of what the future holds for the Spaniard, Wolves will also remain a key part of his journey to becoming a professional footballer.

"Wolves will always be that club that I love," Bueno added.

"Since I was really young I just had the best moments in the academy and in the first team as well.

"It's always been the club that gave me the opportunity, that took me when I was just 16 and they will always have a special place in me. Not just for me, for my family and all my friends. It's a lovely club."