Fer Lopez has returned to Wolves in a positive frame of mind, having developed as a footballer during his loan back at Celta Vigo last season.
The Spaniard was out of favour at Molineux around the turn of the year, so returned to his boyhood club Celta on a temporary basis, and got both crucial minutes and the experience of European football in the north west of Spain.
While back in La Liga, Lopez often found himself in a central midfield role due to injuries, and being still just 22, he feels he’s returned to the Old Gold camp a more rounded and mature footballer.
On being back at Wolves
“It’s very good, to be fair. A very tough pre-season and I think that's very good for us to improve, especially physically. That is one thing I need to improve. I don't have a lot of minutes in the top divisions, so it's very important to play a lot now that I'm young, so I can develop and reach my potential.
“He [Peixoto] wants to play football, and I think it's important because I need to play in teams that want to be positive with the ball, that want to have the ball, so I’m happy with that.”
On his return to Celta Vigo
“It was very good, playing a lot of games, which is the thing that I needed. Also, playing European competitions was top because you travel and train in the stadium the day before the game, and they’re top experiences that build you as a player.
“I arrived in late January, so it was four or five months, somewhere I knew I could play, where I could hit the ground running. I went on Tuesday, and we played on Thursday, and I scored a good goal. After playing in England, physically I felt better than the other players in the match.”
On playing in a deeper role
“The main midfielders were injured, so I had to play there. In the beginning it was tough because I didn't know when to accelerate, when to play a little bit more safe. But in the end I think I did a very good job, and the last game against Sevilla was my best game last season.
“I can play in that role, but it depends on the system. The more positions I can play, the better. Offensively, I knew I could do it, but defensively I've leaned a lot, in a position which is tougher, running a lot of kilometres per game and at good speed.
“The only thing is I cannot be as aggressive as I play because if I lose the ball there it’s tough for the team, being closer to our goal. I prefer to play forward so I can be more aggressive and try different things in order to create goals, but I can play there too.”
On enjoying his time in Spain
“My favourite game was the first one because I was coming from a very difficult time here, so good feelings came out. Also the last one, I was a little bit more mature, and I think it was one of my best games from a tactical point of view and physical point of view, not just like a kid, a little bit more professional. I was very happy in that game too.”
