Wolves' star performers so far – What the stats reveal
Wolves may not have had a game this past weekend, but there are still plenty of player stats to go over.
As we are in the winter break, let’s take a look at those who have led the way for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side so far this season.
Raul Jimenez
The Mexican is of course Wolves’ top scorer, with 11 goals in the Premier League – and 20 in all competitions.
As the saying goes, if you don’t shoot, you don’t score, so it should not come as a huge surprise that Jimenez has taken the most shots too, with 81.
He also has the most offsides to his name – 16. Being as he has been leading the line throughout the campaign, those stats are to be expected.
Jimenez, though, has proved he is not just about scoring goals, but creating them too.
His six assists puts him joint-second in terms of providers of goals, with Joao Moutinho.
He has made 38 key passes, according to whoscored.com, too, which is only fewer than Moutinho’s 55.
Jimenez is fourth in the aerial charts, having won 50 of his 134 aerial duels.
Wolves’ number nine is a true all-round striker.
Joao Moutinho
Wolves’ midfield dynamo, while being high up in the assists chart and making the most key passes, has displayed vast tenacity.
The 33-year-old Portuguese has made the most tackles across Wolves’ 25 league games, with 70.
Jonny Castro Otto is the next best with 65, and Leander Dendoncker third with 47.
Moutinho has also made more passes than anyone else in gold and black.
He has managed a huge 1,301 passes – ahead of midfield partner Ruben Neves (1,274) and skipper Conor Coady (1,235).
Moutinho has also completed 39 interceptions, putting him second behind Otto (40), and is joint-top with Adama Traore in terms of fouls (30).
He has been in the thick of things every week for Wolves.
Usually, when players approach their mid 30s, they slow down and pick their moments. But Moutinho has done nothing of the sort. He has been full-tilt.
Adama Traore
The speedster tops Wolves’ assists chart, with seven in the league – after just the one last term.
Most notably, he leads the way in terms of successful dribbles. Nobody else even comes close to Traore either.
He made waves when, against Watford on New Year’s Day, he completed 15 take-ons – the biggest number in a single game since the collection of such data began in the 2006/07 campaign.
And overall, Traore – the scourge of full-backs across the land – has carried out 133 successful dribbles.
Jimenez is the next best with 45, and then Diogo Jota with 44.
Traore also trumps everyone else in the league – and in the whole of Europe – when it comes to dribbling.
Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha (123) and arguably the best footballer of all time, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (100), are the only other players in triple figures.
The Spaniard has been such a threat for Wolves and, as the stats show, is one of the most effective widemen on the continent.
Romain Saiss
A committed character who never shies away from a challenge, Saiss has made a seamless transition from midfield to defence this term.
Although calm on the ball, the Moroccan has been noticed for doing the basics well and in terms of clearances – a key part of being a defender – he is second in the pile.
His 73 puts him ahead of defensive partner Willy Boly (53), and not far behind sweeper Coady (82).
Unsurprisingly, Saiss also tops the list for yellow cards, having picked up seven.
Sometimes it boils over, but you can never question his effort.
