Loan Watch | Bolla hitting the ground running

Bendeguz Bolla is enjoying life in Switzerland with Grasshopper Club Zurich and hopes his form there can help him achieve his opportunity in the Wolves first-team in the future.

The 21-year-old defender has made ten appearances for his loan club, scoring twice so far for Grasshopper Club Zurich, after moving instantly after his transfer to Wolves. The Hungarian international, who featured in his country’s Euro 2020 squad, wants to help keep Grasshoppers in the Swiss Super League and use that as a springboard to launch a career with Wolves.

On his loan spell so far

“I feel very happy here. The team is a young but very good one. I'm enjoying strong form right now. I'm happy to have scored in the last two games.

“I'm glad to be here, and I believe this is the best team for me to develop with. I know what I need to do to push on, and this is the best environment to help me do it.”

On playing in the Swiss Super League

“Last season I played in the Hungarian League and the Swiss league is harder. There are big differences between Hungary and this league, which is a good thing. Grasshoppers are a club with a big history.

“Last season, they were in the second division. It's a big deal to be back in the first division; we need to continue playing well and hopefully stay in this league.”

On playing regularly

“The most important thing, I believe, is to play in every game because training differs from games, so I need to play a lot of minutes. That’s best for my development.

“I like the system in which we play. We play in a 3-5-2 system with me on the right, which allows me to join in the offence and make other contributions.”

On his goal contributions

“I'm the type of player who likes to play offensively. I'm a defender, but I like to attack as well. I think it’s a great tool to have to help the team with these goals and assists.

“The first goal was incredible, and I was extremely happy. After that, I scored again, and hopefully, this will continue, but first I have to defend. I'm a defender first and foremost; everything else is extra.”

On his international duties

“I was very happy to be there with the national team for the Euros and World Cup qualifiers. It was a great experience for me. Unfortunately, we will not be in the World Cup because of our loss to Albania, but hopefully I will get more minutes in the international team in the future.”

On his aspirations for the remainder of the season

“We are currently in a good period; we won the last two games, which was very important for us. The next few games will also be very important because we are currently in fifth place, but second place is only three points away.

“So, it will be very interesting to see if we can keep winning, but we must remain humble and continue to work hard. We have a very good team. So, I believe we'll be in a good position at the end of the season.”

On his Wolves hopes

“I'm hoping to be able to join the team for the summer preparations for the next season, but I know what I need to do to develop, and I'm working on it here at Grasshoppers.”

Elsewhere on loan

  • Leo Bonatini registered his second goal in five matches on Sunday for Grasshoppers Club Zurich, however, his side slipped to a 3-1 defeat to Lausanne.
  • Renat Dadashov was called up for the Azerbaijan national team for their World Cup qualifiers. He starred in their defeats to the Republic of Ireland and Serbia.
  • Dion Sanderson played 90 minutes for Birmingham City in their 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion.
  • Morgan Gibbs-White impressed again in Sheffield United’s 2-1 comeback win against Stoke City.
  • Patrick Cutrone played 30 minutes coming off the bench for Empoli in their 4-1 defeat to Atalanta.

By Nikita Gomes Henschl