Leonardo Campana recently spoke to the Express and Star about his debut season at Wolverhampton Wanderers, admitting he’s found it tough to condition himself for the high level of football.
Campana revealed he was watching Raul Jimenez’s performances before the season was postponed and tried to adopt elements of the 28-year-old’s style to incorporate himself.
He also talked about the physicality of the Premier League and how “intense” gym work is to ensure he’s up to the standard. The 19-year-old hasn’t even made his first-team debut for Wolves, but he’s clearly being put through his paces.
“You can tell immediately how quick and strong the Premier League players are – it’s incredible. I spent the last few matches watching Raul Jimenez very closely to learn what I’m supposed to do when I’m given the chance to play,” he said.
“As far as training, the football practice might not be that long, but the work at the gym is more intense. I guess that’s what makes the players so much stronger and faster.”
Campana joined Wolves from Barcelona SC Guayaquil in January and has made the matchday squad on two occasions in the Europa League. The 19-year-old was expected to develop in the U23s upon his arrival before eventually progressing to the first-team.
Jimenez is first-choice up front under Nuno Espirito Santo while Pedro Neto, Diogo Jota, Adama Traore and Daniel Podence can operate as makeshift centre-forwards in an emergency.
Renat Dadashov is an option in the reserves, but it remains to be seen if he’ll be given a chance to impress or be loaned out again. Campana will certainly need to be patient for an opportunity too.
