GiveMeSport
·7 February 2023
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·7 February 2023
Wolverhampton Wanderers signing Craig Dawson is a great option to have, journalist Dean Jones has told GiveMeSport.
Wolves bought the defender last month and he has managed to make an instant impact at Molineux after scoring on his debut against Liverpool.
Wolves brought Dawson to the club from West Ham in a deal worth around £3m during the January window, as reported by BBC Sport.
Following his arrival at the Premier League side, who he almost joined last summer, the 32-year-old told the club's official website: "It was close in the summer, so I’m delighted that we’ve got it over the line finally. I can’t wait to get started and help the lads out.
"It’s been a great first week. There are a lot of new faces, but all of the lads, the management team and the coach have all been friendly and I can’t wait to get started."
As per Transfermarkt, Dawson's goal against Liverpool was the 53rd of his senior career, which is quite impressive for a centre-back.
Jones has praised the impact that Dawson has already made at Molineux and thinks he is a useful option for Julen Lopetegui.
Speaking to GMS, the transfer insider said: "Hopefully he can just settle and enjoy things now. It was a great start for him, and for Wolves, what a player to have available to them."
Yes. He brings a lot of experience at a time where Wolves could badly do with it as they look to avoid relegation.
In total, the Englishman has made almost 250 appearances in the Premier League (also via Transfermarkt).
Dawson is also a defender who will bring an aerial presence to Wolves' backline. According to WhoScored, last season, he won 2.8 aerial duels per top-flight game. Only Tomas Soucek (3.8) had a higher average in West Ham's squad.
"He’s massively underrated,” his former West Brom team-mate Liam Ridgewell told The Athletic in 2021.
"He’s a goalscoring centre-half and his stats are better than other defenders that are talked about. I knew he would be a perfect player for [David] Moyes at West Ham. They need players who will consistently perform to a good level and that’s what Dawson brings."