Wolves could replace Kalajdzic by signing “clinical” star who’s like Jimenez
da pinnacle： Gary O’Neil will be pleased with the progress his Wolves side has made this season.
da spicy bet： The Old Gold have shown a togetherness that allows them to play as a team rather than individuals, and that was on show against Brentford in the 1-1 FA Cup draw last weekend.
Despite being 11th in the Premier League, the Wanderers will look to strengthen their squad in January.
Wolves transfers latest – striker hunt at Molineux
According to The Athletic, Wolves are interested in signing Danny Ings on loan from West Ham.
The Wanderers have been keeping an eye on Ings’ situation, but talks are yet to begin between the clubs. As a result, we may have to wait until later in the winter window to see if things develop into a formal offer for the player.
The deal is allegedly dependent on Michael Antonio’s recovery from injury, with the Irons forward reportedly out for the best part of six weeks.
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ByLuke Randall Feb 1, 2024 How Danny Ings compares to Raul Jimenez
Sasa Kalajdzic was the latest player signed in an attempt to replace the goals that Raul Jimenez brought in the 2019/20 Premier League season (17). However, the 6 foot 6 striker has just joined Eintracht Frankfurt on loan after failing to secure a place in the starting XI. He joins a pretty wretched list of forward players who have simply failed to make the grade in the Midlands.
Goals scored by Wolves strikers since 2020/21
Player
Games played
Goals scored
Raul Jimenez
67
13
Patrick Cutrone
4
0
Fabio Silva
72
5
Willian Jose
18
1
Hwang-hee Chan
84
20
Sasa Kalajdzic
14
3
Matheus Cunha
41
8
Diego Costa
25
1
Overall total
325
51
Stats via Transfermarkt.
Therefore, Ings could be drafted in as a short-term fix to a long-term issue, who coincidentally is a similar player to Wolves icon Jimenez according to FBref’s similar players model.
The former Liverpool player has struggled with injuries throughout his career, but he has only missed one game since the start of 2021.
Despite being available, the 31-year-old has failed to nail down a spot in the starting XI at West Ham, with either Antonio or Jarrod Bowen being preferred in the number nine role, which has led to Ings playing just 108 minutes in the Premier League this season. Wolves, therefore, could offer him a valuable short-term exit.
The West Ham striker would bring experience and goals to the Wolves attack, as according to one football writer Ings is a “clinical finisher," and in fairness, the table below does prove that he knows how to put the ball in the back of the net, notably in the Premier League.
Ings: Recent Premier League
Season
Appearances
Goals
Assists
2022/23
35
8
2
2021/22
30
7
6
2020/21
29
12
4
2019/20
38
22
2
2018/19
24
7
3
Stats via Sofascore
Ings is the definition of a goal-scorer, but his technique and ball-striking ability are what make him so dangerous.
Indeed, if the striker gets half a chance, he will most likely bury it, which is needed when playing for a side like Wolves, who have created the 12th most big chances in the Premier League this season. This makes him like Jimenez, who has overperformed his xG this season for Fulham.
But just how do they compare specifically? Well, when it comes to how involved they are in the play, where they take their shots from, passing and carrying, there's not much to separate the pair.
Danny Ings vs Raul Jimenez: 2023/24
Stat (per 90)
Ings
Jimenez
Expected Goals (xG)
0.06
0.32
Average shot distance
14.1 yards
13.8 yards
Pass Success rate
63%
66%
Passes into penalty box
0.63
0.57
Touches
32
35
Successful take-ons
0.63
0.65
Carries
17.5
19.8
Stats via FBref.
Overall, the potential signing of Ings is by far from one that the Wolves faithful will be extremely excited about, but given the fact that Hwang Hee-chan will be their only available striker for the rest of the season (when he returns from the AFC Asian Cup), the move does seem smart.
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ByLuke Randall Jan 2, 2024
Even if he doesn’t feature heavily. This transfer has absolutely no risk attached, and therefore, there can only be an upside to the loan.
