Wolves’ Struggles Without Raul Jimenez: Tactical Analysis of the 2020-21 Season
After the devastating head injury that sidelined Raul Jimenez in November 2020, Wolverhampton Wanderers’ form took a dramatic downturn. With just 8 points from 11 games following Jimenez’s absence, the team dropped to 14th place, a stark contrast to their consecutive 7th-place finishes in previous seasons. This in-depth analysis explores the tactical and squad issues that have emerged for Wolves during the 2020-21 campaign, dissecting the reasons behind their problems and what lies ahead.
Shifting Tactical Identity and Formation Instability
Over the past two seasons, Wolves enjoyed stability under manager Nuno Espirito Santo by sticking to consistent setups, mainly 3-4-3 or 3-5-2. However, the 2020-21 season saw a remarkable increase in tactical variation, with Wolves switching their formation more frequently than any other team in the league. This shift coincided with the injury to Jimenez as well as the departure of trusted wing-backs Jonny Otto (injured) and Matt Doherty (transferred to Tottenham Hotspur). Replacements like Nelson Semedo and Fernando Marcal have struggled to match the effectiveness of their predecessors, though Rayan Ait-Nouri has shown promise for the future.
Further disruptions came from COVID-19 protocols (notably, Conor Coady’s absence) and injuries to key midfielders such as Leander Dendoncker. Even after their return, Nuno maintained a back-four, leading to persistent tactical changes. Sometimes Wolves lined up in a 4-2-3-1, other times a 4-3-3, particularly in response to additional injuries, including Daniel Podence. This lack of consistency has left the side without a clear tactical identity, troubling for a club previously noted for strong organization and structure.
Key Player Performances and Squad Analysis
In defense, Rui Patricio has suffered a dip in form, partly due to being exposed by an unsettled backline. Semedo has been a focal point, both positively and negatively, on the right, while the left side has seen mixed performances from Marcal and Ait-Nouri. Central defenders like Coady, Willy Boly, and Romain Saiss have experienced inconsistent form, although the center-back pool remains robust should Nuno revert to a three-man defense.
The midfield trio of Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, and Dendoncker has underperformed compared to previous seasons. Moutinho seems hampered by the absence of trusted outlets, with both Diogo Jota and Jimenez unavailable. Neves struggles to influence games where Wolves lack control, and Dendoncker’s trademark energy and box-to-box coverage have diminished.
In attack, bright Portuguese talents Pedro Neto and Daniel Podence have offered hope, effectively filling the void left by Jota. They’re Wolves’ leading scorers after Jimenez. However, Adama Traore, known for his dribbling, has yet to register a Premier League goal or assist this season, and young forward Fabio Silva appears not yet ready for English top-flight demands. Jimenez, before his injury, was isolated in many matches and lacked creative support, pointing to deeper attacking issues even prior to his absence.
Heavy Reliance on Individual Dribbling and Loss of a Central Focal Point
A major consequence of Jimenez’s absence is the lack of a central striker capable of linking play and serving as a target for teammates. Jimenez’s skill—holding up the ball, aerial prowess, and facilitating transitions—was instrumental in Wolves’ attack. Without him, Wolves have leaned heavily on individual dribbling, leading the league in dribbles attempted.
The right flank, with Semedo and Traore, is Wolves’ primary point of attack (accounting for 42% of attacks), yet it has not produced significant returns compared to the left. Despite this, Wolves attack down the left less frequently (34%) than any other Premier League team.
This dribble-heavy strategy has drawbacks. Both Traore and Semedo average over six successful dribbles per game as a pair, but the absence of a forward to receive quick passes makes Wolves’ transitions slower and less dangerous. The team rarely gets caught offside—mainly during set-piece actions—illustrating a reluctance to play ambitious balls behind opposing defenses, further underscoring their hesitance and predictability in attack.
Goal Scoring Difficulties and Inefficiency in Open Play
Without a natural finisher like Jimenez, Wolves’ offensive output has suffered. While Neto and Podence contribute via individual skill, neither excels at finishing crosses or capitalizing on set pieces or quick transitions the way Jimenez did. Consequently, a significant portion of Wolves’ goals this season has come from set-pieces.
The club has scored 9 goals from set plays, the highest in the league alongside their two penalty goals, totaling more than their open-play efforts. Romain Saiss, Ruben Neves, Willy Boly, and Fabio Silva have all contributed from dead-ball situations. Despite averaging 12.7 shots and creating 9.3 chances per game, Wolves have managed just 21 goals in 19 matches, highlighting their struggle to generate and convert high-quality opportunities and a missing clinical presence up front.
If reinforcements do not arrive in the January transfer window, Nuno may need to consider repurposing Adama Traore in a central attacking role. He has shown the ability to play up front, especially in a 3-5-2 or 3-4-1-2, which could renew Wolves’ threat in counter-attacking situations, especially if paired with either Podence or Neto. Traore’s pace and strength, paired with a strike partner, could alleviate some creative burdens and offer Fabio Silva valuable support.
Defensive Vulnerabilities Emerge Alongside Attacking Frustrations
Defensive solidity, once a trademark under Nuno, has eroded. Despite scoring frequently from set-pieces, Wolves have also conceded 9 set-piece goals—the second-worst record in the league—alongside 6 goals from penalties, the most in the division. These statistics point to organizational lapses and individual mistakes among defenders and midfielders.
The frequent shifting of formations has likely contributed to these issues, reducing the opportunity for players to develop strong partnerships and understanding. Conor Coady, so pivotal in a back-three, has struggled in a four-man defense. Defensively, Wolves’ record has declined: they conceded 46 goals (1.2 per game) in 2018-19, improved to just 40 (1.05 per game) in 2019-20, but are on track for their worst return in years, with 29 goals conceded in 19 games (1.5 per game) this season.
Wing-back performance has also dropped, and the absence of Jimenez’s aerial strength affects both ends of the pitch. Additionally, games in which Wolves conceded three or more goals usually involved the 4-3-3 setup, indicating that recent formations have not suited the squad’s defensive strengths.
Prospects and Recommendations Moving Forward
The impact of Raul Jimenez’s absence from Wolverhampton Wanderers during the 2020-21 season cannot be overstated. His significance as a central striker, a creative outlet, and a set-piece presence runs through every facet of the team’s play, both attacking and defending. Adama Traore’s decline in attacking output, paired with the departures and injuries of key players like Diogo Jota and Jonny Otto, has left Wolves depleted and lacking direction.
To regain stability, Wolves could benefit from restoring a three-man defense to reinforce their defensive structure, and repositioning Traore as a striker to generate a more direct attacking threat. Formational consistency and clear roles for midfielders and attackers will likely help the squad recover some of its lost cohesion and confidence. Until Jimenez returns, or a reliable replacement is integrated into the side, Wolves face a tough journey ahead, risking their poorest Premier League finish since 2018.
Summary
Wolves’ struggles in the 2020-21 campaign have been rooted in the absence of a focal striker, constant tactical reshuffles, and drops in both defensive and offensive production. Addressing these issues through tactical consistency and inventive use of available personnel is crucial if they are to stabilize and improve their Premier League standing in the remainder of the season.
