Rob Edwards insists bringing Raul Jimenez back to Molineux is not just due to the Mexican sensation’s love for Wolves, but because the striker brings Premier League quality to the second tier.
With the club undertaking a rebuild following relegation to the EFL Championship, signing a striker who will be the face of Mexico’s World Cup campaign as the competition is hosted by his country this summer – and has continued to shine in the top flight for Fulham in recent seasons – for Wolves offers an outstanding attacking option for Edwards.
And the head coach has not hid his delight in making such a statement signing ahead of the new campaign, and believes the deep connection Jimenez has for Wolves means he will be the ideal incoming as the club enters a new era.
On Jimenez’s return to Molineux
“We’re hugely excited to bring Raul back to Wolves and also really pleased. I was at the club when he was here before so was able to watch him and see what he did for this football club.
“He was involved in the club’s greatest time for a number of years, and he was a big part of that. I know what he means to the football club and to the supporters, but this is not a signing just because it’s an emotional one.
“This is a signing because we really believe that he’s the right man to be able to help us achieve our aims, so we’re delighted to have him in.”
On being back home in Wolverhampton
“We’re delighted that he’s here and I know everyone will be very excited. He’s another player with huge experience, but also knows Wolverhampton, he knows the area, knows the club, knows the DNA and the fabric of it, and knows what it means to play for Wolverhampton Wanderers.
“It’s going to be so much easier for me to be able to demand what I’m going to demand of the players, because he’s lived it, he knows the levels, so I’m very, very pleased.”
On fitting into his team
“He’s still got so much to offer, and if you watched him this season, you could see his running, you could see how fit and strong and healthy he looks, and that’s credit to him with the way he lives his life and how good of a professional he is, but also how hungry is.
“He’s another player, like Tripps – and it will be the case with anyone we sign this summer – because they’re not signing now to play in the Premier League, they’re signing to play for Wolves.
“I’ve been fed up of hearing over the years when a new player is signed and they say, ‘It’s always been my dream to play in the Premier League’. What I want to hear from players is that they want to play for Wolves.
“Obviously right now there’s not Premier League football, but we really hope there is going forward in the years after, but Raul wants to come to Wolves, and he wants to help Wolves, because it’s Wolves. That’s the exciting thing about him and Tripps, and anyone who signs in this window, it’s because they want to be here at this football club, not just to play in the Premier League or play in England.”
On convincing Mexico’s star man to return
“I’ve got to give Nathan a lot of credit because he did a lot of the hard work to be able to deliver this signing. And again, it’s huge credit to Nathan and Jacko for the way they’re delivering these players as quickly as they are doing.
“When I spoke to Raul, he didn’t need any convincing, but I think there’s been a lot of for him to think about with his family as they’ve been living in London, and the kids are still younger, but they’re in school in London, and everything else that goes with it, so there’s going to be a move back up here, and there were other options for him to think about as well, rightly so, because he’s a very good player, but he feels this is the right thing for him.
“He definitely would have felt the love towards the end of the season when he came back to Molineux, and that certainly would have helped. It was a bit strange in that game as I could sense the crowd thinking how good it would be if Raul scores the winner here, and I wasn’t sure I liked it, but at the same time I appreciated how much he means to the supporters and to the football club.
“Although he’s had a bit to think about, this is one where it’s in his heart, the club is in his heart, and it means so much to him. He also really wants to help get the club back to where it’s been before, and that’s what we’ve really got to play on, because both Raul and Tripps could easily have gone somewhere else, they both could have stayed in the Premier League, but they’ve decided to come here and help us achieve something special.”
On building a better squad
“I have been saying we need to be stronger than what we were last year, and I know it’s not nice for people to hear, but it was just incredibly hard for us just to compete in the Premier League last year, and that’s just the truth.
“We know things need to improve, and we’re working really hard to try and do that as quickly as possible. The challenge from those above me is that we need to get promoted again, but that same challenge will obviously be going out to West Ham, to Burnley, and there’ll be a lot of others in the mix who will be throwing a lot of money at it, and it’ll make the league really competitive this year, so we know how hard it’s going to be.
“That’s why we need to be really strong, so with Andre committing, Tripps and now Raul coming in, I think it’s a great start for us, and I know everyone is really pleased, and hopefully they believe more in what we’re trying to do, but there’s a lot more we’ve still got to do and there’ll be more to come.”
On being prepared for a tough season ahead
“I hope the fans are pleased, but I’ve said it before, results will dictate their opinions. The signings we’re making at the moment will be ticking one box, and there’s more to be done, but then the results and how we start the season is what matters.
“Over the last few years, we’ve been losing more games than we’ve been winning, and that’s difficult for the fans to go through, but we hope that’s reversed next year, not because it’s the Championship, but because we’ll have done good work, and we’ve earned the right to be at the top end of the league. If we’re getting results and players are working extremely hard and they’re giving everything to the football club, then I’m sure the fans will get right behind us.
“That was my message to the lads in the dressing room after the fans gave up a standing ovation at Burnley. What they showed out there was after we just finished bottom of the league. Imagine if we’re at the top end of the league next season, and we’re playing good, attractive football, and you’re giving everything.
“I know the fans want to come with us, they want to support the team, they don’t want to be angry, so we’ve got to make sure we do our bit, and I know we know the fans will come with it, and they’ll do their bit as well.”
