Wolves' Fer Lopez on creativity, listening to his gut and entering 'flow state'

In a team that still needs to recruit more creativity and ingenuity, Lopez is one of few players in the squad that can provide those maverick moments.

The 22-year-old is set for a big role under Cesar Peixoto next season and when fit he has done well in pre-season so far.

Playing as a number 10, with a lot of freedom to float in between the lines, Lopez says his instincts help him make quick decisions that will hopefully create for himself and his team-mates.

“Sometimes I get the feeling and I don't think a lot - I execute,” Lopez said.

“For example, the goal I scored with Celta, the ball was there and I don't think, I try to execute it.

“Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, but I try to do everything I feel. I try not to overthink a lot.

“At this type of level, you don't have time to think. So I just try to go with my gut and try new things.

“Also, the coach is telling me to shoot a lot more. That's one area I need to improve because all the time I try the final pass, but I need to try to shoot more and also cross.

“In Spain, it's not much of a crossing league, it's more like a last pass through ball, so I need to improve that because in England there's a lot more crosses and goals from crosses.

“I will try to do that and shoot a lot more.”

When asked if the freedom he is given in this system is the key to getting the best from him, Lopez added: “I think yes, even if I have to start from the right, like I did before in Spain, or in the double pivot, like I played last season.

“When I have the freedom that if I lose the ball, it's bad and I need to get it back, but it's not a huge issue.

“I think I produced my best football and I try to play with that freedom.

“A little bit of a flow state, I like to play like that.”

Lopez was signed for £19.5million last summer but struggled to get regular minutes under both Vitor Pereira and Rob Edwards before being sent out on loan to boyhood club Celta Vigo for the rest of the campaign.

Despite having a slow start to his Wolves career, supporters have been particularly excited about the prospect of Lopez lighting up the Championship, considering the clear technical quality he possesses.

The forward-thinking 22-year-old is not short on confidence and is ready to bring that ingenuity to Wolves.

When asked what fans can expect from him, Lopez said: “Directness.

“I will try to play forward like always.

“Sometimes I will make mistakes, that's normal, but I will try things.

“I'm not a player that likes to play safe when you don't have to play safe.

“Sometimes it's time to play safe, but if I have the chance to try to make a through ball or a shot or to create something, I will try to do it.”