Wolves must love World Cup evidence - they have EFL Championship cheat code | OneFootball

Raul Jimenez has impressed at the World Cup with Mexico after sealing a return to Wolves prior to the tournament.

Wolves have already made two crucial signings as they prepare for life back in the Championship, with Kieran Trippier and Raul Jimenez now part of Cesar Peixoto’s squad.

Both are seen as massive deals for the club, as right-back and striker were problem positions going into the window, whilst the experienced duo will add leadership and know-how to the dressing room, qualities that Wanderers had been desperately lacking.

There was a lot of excitement around Trippier’s signing, but it’s fair to say that bringing Jimenez back to Molineux is the one that has really delighted supporters.

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Raul Jimenez will be a key player for Cesar Peixoto

The 35-year-old’s connection to the club is well-known, as he joined on an initial loan from Benfica after Wolves’ promotion to the Premier League in 2018, and Jimenez went on to star for the best team the club had in a generation.

Jimenez was integral as Wolves recorded back-to-back 7th-placed finishes in the top flight, as well as reaching the Europa League quarter-final and an FA Cup semi-final.

As we know, he then suffered a serious head injury that threatened his career, but Jimenez battled back and cemented his place as a Wolves legend.

So, this was never going to be a standard signing for Wolves, and the reception Jimenez got at Molineux as a Fulham player in May, before anyone knew he would return, demonstrated that he remains loved by those on the terraces.

That reaction helped convince Jimenez to drop to the Championship, and he is certain to get a great ovation when he pulls on Old Gold for his second stint at the club against Blackburn on the opening day.

Raul Jimenez’s World Cup performances with Mexico prove he can lead Wolves to promotion

But, you can’t just sign a player for emotional reasons, and even though Jimenez scored nine times for Fulham in the Premier League last season, there was one question that would’ve been in the back of the minds of all Wolves fans: Can a 35-year-old Jimenez really lead us to promotion?

Yet, he has emphatically answered that question with his displays for Mexico at the World Cup.

Jimenez has scored twice in three games for El Tri, with the number nine rested for the final group game after they had secured top spot.

It’s not just the goals either, as Jimenez has been a great focal point for his country. He is excellent with his back to goal, he will drop into spaces to make himself difficult to mark, and he comes alive in the box.

Against South Africa, Jimenez was a threat from the first whistle, and his powerful header was the type of goal he scored regularly for Wolves.

Then, his best showing came against Ecuador, as Mexico won a knockout game in the World Cup for the first time in 40 years.

The South Americans are regarded as one of the best defensive teams on the planet, with Piero Hincapie, Joel Ordonez and William Pacho part of a unit that conceded just five times in 18 qualifiers.

However, Jimenez gave them a torrid time at Estadio Azteca, with his movement causing constant problems, and he scored a fantastic goal to help Mexico set up a last 16 tie with England.

Of course, these are the biggest games of Jimenez’s career, played on home turf in front of a red-hot atmosphere, and that can help raise your level.

Nevertheless, these recent performances are proof that Jimenez still has a lot to offer, and, if he didn’t have a connection with Wolves, it’s hard to imagine he would’ve agreed to drop to the Championship, as he is capable of playing at a higher level.

All Wolves fans will know that they aren’t going to get the same Jimenez that joined the club from Benfica, and there will be an understanding that he will need to be used carefully over such a demanding 46-game season.

There is still a lot of work for Peixoto and the recruitment team to do at Wolves before the new season starts, and it will be intriguing to see how that plays out.

Ultimately, though, in signing Jimenez, Wolves look to have pulled off a real coup, and his performances at the World Cup suggest he could add a brilliant final chapter to his story with the club by leading them to promotion.