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EXCLUSIVE; Wolves have finally found their new Raul Jimenez and it’s not Cunha
Wolverhampton Wanderers were knocked out of the FA Cup on penalties by Bournemouth over the weekend, adding to their list of disappointing results.
The defeat was made worse when star player Matheus Cunha was sent off in the final minute of extra time, meaning he will be unavailable for several matches in the coming weeks.
In Cunha’s absence, Wolves will surely be looking for a player to lead the attack.
The club had once hoped that Matheus Cunha would be the ideal replacement for Raul Jimenez after the Mexican striker’s departure, but it’s now clear that the search for a true heir continues.
Raul Jimenez’s Wolves Legacy: A Statistical Overview
Jimenez joined Wolves in 2018, ahead of their return to the Premier League, and quickly became a key figure in the team, scoring 17 goals across all competitions in his first season.
The following year was even more impressive as he netted 27 goals and provided 9 assists, helping Wolves finish 7th in the Premier League for a second consecutive season and reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
However, Jimenez’s career at Molineux was significantly impacted by injury. A serious skull fracture in November 2020 kept him sidelined for the remainder of the season, and he struggled to return to his best form afterward.
Over the next few years, he scored just nine more goals for the club and was eventually sold to Fulham for £5.5m in the summer of 2023.
Since joining Fulham, Jimenez has scored 18 goals, while Wolves have yet to find a player who can replicate his impact or his cult hero status at Molineux.
Wolves’ Potential Replacement for Jimenez
So, who might step up to fill the void left by Jimenez? Could it be Jorgen Strand Larsen?
The Norwegian striker joined Wolves on loan last summer, with the deal set to become permanent at the end of the season.
While his return of seven goals and three assists is modest, three of those goals came against top-tier teams like Chelsea, Manchester City, and Tottenham, suggesting that Larsen rises to the occasion against stronger opposition.
Journalist Josh Bunting praised Larsen’s off-the-ball movement, comparing it to Jimenez’s ability to be in the right place at the right time: “He’s sharp on the ball and gets into space really well,” Bunting noted.
Larsen’s statistics further underline his potential. In the Premier League, he ranks in the top 1% for shots on target percentage (63.9%) per 90 minutes and in the top 24% for aerial duels won (2.27) per 90 minutes.
For context, Jimenez ranked in the top 21% for aerials won with 2.64, highlighting their similar strengths in the air.
At just 25 years old, Larsen has room to grow and improve as he adapts to the Premier League.
With Cunha suspended due to his red card in the FA Cup, Larsen will have the opportunity to step up and play a crucial role in Wolves’ attack over the coming weeks.
If Larsen can deliver the goals that keep Wolves in the Premier League, the fans might soon regard him in the same esteem as Jimenez.
