Raul Jimenez recently admitted in an interview with Marca that he has regrets over how his time went at Atletico Madrid. The 28-year-old joined the Liga giants from CF America in 2014 but lasted only a year before being sold Benfica. Jimenez scored just one goal and made two assists in 28 games for Atleti.
He admitted: “I didn’t feel sad. I think all the changes have been for the good. I would have liked to have done more at Atletico. I was only there for a year. I realised that the football was faster, it took hard work but after everything I’ve been through, it worked and now I am where I am because I haven’t given up.
“I would have liked to have been more important at Atletico or at Benfica, but now I am the important player that my team-mates, the club and the fans need, and what I have done is paying off.” Jimenez scored (31) and created (15) 46 goals in 120 games for Benfica before joining Wolves in 2018.
He initially joined on loan and turned the move permanent last summer. The Mexican international has had a hand in 57 goals in 88 appearances under Nuno Espirito Santo and finds himself being linked with a move to Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Jimenez has reaffirmed his desire to stay at Molineux and the club have tied him down until 2023, so they’re under no obligation to cash in early. He failed at Atleti but is now one of the best strikers in Europe and could be leading Wolves to a top-four finish in the Premier League and a deep run in Europe.
Before the season was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Jimenez had scored 22 goals in 44 games as Wolves sat sixth in the table after 29 games, five points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea. The Midlands outfit had also reached the last-16 of the Europa League, drawing the first leg and bagging an away goal for their troubles.
They’ll be desperate to resume the campaign to realise their fate.
