Express & Star

Wolves style suits me fine, says Raul Jimenez

Wolves’ summer signing Raul Jimenez can’t wait to immerse himself in Nuno Espirito Santo’s style of football.

Published
Last updated

The Mexican striker, who trained with Wolves for the first time yesterday, watched videos of his new team ahead of his arrival at Compton training ground.

And the 27-year-old, who is on a season-long loan from Benfica, believes it will suit his own strengths.

“It’s a great style,” said Jimenez. “I like it, I like to play with the team and I think that style of play is for me.

“It’s a different kind of play, but I have to learn it and will give my all to the team to achieve something.

“It’s a great honour to be here, a pleasure. I’ve had my first training session, it was very good.”

Jimenez was introduced to his new team-mates yesterday, but he already knows many of the club’s Portuguese contingent thanks to three years at Benfica.

And he’s hoping that familiarity will enable him get up to speed quickly.

“I know them well because I played against them in Portugal,” he explained. “I watched some videos too.”

Jimenez scored eight goals in 43 games for Benfica last season, although the majority of his appearances came off the bench.

He’s refused to set himself any goal targets for next season but is predicting a positive campaign for his new team.

“I don’t want to put a target,” he said. “It’s better to go game by game and then at the end of the season I will see.

“This season is going to be a good season for us. I wanted a new challenge.”

Jimenez has only just joined up with Wolves after competing in the World Cup with Mexico, and he came off the bench against both Germany and Brazil.

The former Atletico Madrid striker already has a number of medals in his locker, having won the Primeira Liga twice with Benfica, the Spanish Supercopa with Atletico, and the 2012 Olympics with Mexico.

But now he wants to make more history with Wolves.

“I want to do my best to help the team be near the top,” he said.

“I have a lot of achievements from before but I want more.”