Premier League 2019/20: Wolverhampton Wanderers' ideal forward line for the upcoming campaign

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Crusaders – UEFA Europa League Second Qualifying round: 1st Leg
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Crusaders – UEFA Europa League Second Qualifying round: 1st Leg

Wolverhampton Wanderers will embark on their Premier League campaign after having finished last season just below the top six. The Wolves' impressive seventh-placed finish also ensured their maiden European appearance since 1980.

Nuno Espirito Santo constructed a well-drilled side that played fierce counter-attacking football, pressed in the middle thirds of the pitch and defended with vigor. Wolves ultimately, were a side that possessed a three-man back line surrounded by two explosive wing backs. In front, the reliable duo of Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves took charge.

However, to facilitate Nuno's ideas, Diogo Jota and Raul Jimenez had to build a partnership, always look for each other and be more physically daunting. Fair to say, they shared the goal-scoring burden and executed the manager's tactics extremely well.

Last campaign, Jimenez established himself as one of the best forwards in the Premier League, accumulating 13 goals and seven assists. The Mexico international's wonderful debut season in England tempted Wolves into making his deal permanent, which eventually did take place after they coughed up £30 million.

The Wanderers attack attained a menacing look after Diogo Jota found his goal-scoring boots. Now, in order to embellish the strike force, Wolves also completed a move for Patrick Cutrone from AC Milan for a reported fee of €18m.

Having secured the services of the sharpshooter, we don't expect the management to tinker much with the 3-4-1-2 (3-5-2) formation that has yielded success so far.

On that note, we look at Wolves' ideal forward line for next season.


CAM: Diogo Jota

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Crusaders - Europa League Qualifying - Second Round - First Leg - Molineux
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Crusaders - Europa League Qualifying - Second Round - First Leg - Molineux

Diogo Jota had a slow start in his debut Premier League campaign after a successful stint in the Championship. In the 2017-18 season, the Portuguese attacker scored 17 goals and registered five assists.

Jota played in a wide role during the early stages of the previous campaign, often starting from left wing. But, Nuno drifted Jota inside as an auxiliary striker besides Raul Jimenez and since then, he developed a flourishing partnership with Jimenez. Last season, the 22-year-old ended up with nine goals and five assists in the league.

However, with the appointment of Cutrone, we can expect him to play a free role behind the strikers, where in he'd be allowed to drop deep and pick up the ball, run across the channels and use the strikers' hold-up play to overlap into the box.

ST: Patrick Cutrone

SOCCER: JUL 23 International Champions Cup - FC Bayern v AC Milan
SOCCER: JUL 23 International Champions Cup - FC Bayern v AC Milan

Patrick Cutrone was destined for a great career as a Rossoneri but Krzysztof Piatek's stunning breakthrough derailed his progress at Milan.

The youngster was reluctant to secure a move away from San Siro but the prospect of regular playing time at the Molineux changed his mind.

If the Italian finds his scoring touch early for Wolves, he could form a lethal partnership with Raul Jimenez. The 21-year-old's mobility and incisiveness inside the penalty area could entice more service from Wolves' wing backs and provide different dimensions to their build-up play.


ST: Raul Jimenez

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Crusaders – UEFA Europa League Second Qualifying round: 1st Leg
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Crusaders – UEFA Europa League Second Qualifying round: 1st Leg

Raul Jimenez was arguably Wolves' most important player last season, having contributed to 20 goals in the Premier League. In addition to his goals and assists, the 28-year-old's tireless performances provided extra defensive stability to Espirito's setup.

Jimenez is an excellent passer of the ball as well. He also utilizes his awareness to create space for the advancing wing backs and midfielders. His intelligence and Cutrone's poacher abilities provide all the ingredients to build a deadly strike partnership up front.

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Edited by Akarshak (Ishu) Roy
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