‘Keep him on the bench’ – Agbonlahor gives Traore verdict

Jason Soutar
Adama Traore during a warm-up

Gabby Agbonlahor says the emergence of Hee-Chan Hwang and Raul Jimenez’s partnership for Wolves is a good thing as Adama Traore struggles to provide goals and assists.

Traore has played nine games for the Molineux club this season, providing zero goal contributions so far, despite remaining a nuisance for opposition defences.

The Spain international started the first five league games – helping his team win once. He was benched on matchday six for the trip to Southampton as Wolves won 1-0.


Culling Norwich and co is not the reform football needs


The following week Adama found himself on the bench again, for yet another win, this time at home against Newcastle United.

Hee-Chan was the hero against the Magpies, scoring a brace in the 2-1 victory while combining well with fellow striker Jimenez.

And former Aston Villa striker Agbonlahor says it is good other players are stepping up as Traore struggles to score.

He told Football Insider: “It’s good that other players are stepping up.

“They don’t have to rely on Traore.

“Maybe now they’ve got a forward who has come in and proven that he can cause damage, they’ve got options, they don’t have to play Traore every game who is not providing goals or assists. They can keep him on the bench.

“They’ve got Trincao as well and Daniel Podence.

“It’s looking better for Wolves now and this is what they needed after a worrying start to the season.”

Elsewhere, Wolves are all interested in Athletic Bilbao’s 22-year-old defender Dani Vivian, according to reports.

The centre-back joined the La Liga side in 2016. He spent last season on loan at Mirandes in the Spanish second division.

Vivian played 32 times for them that season before he returned to Bilbao ahead of the 2021/22 season.

Fichajes.Net have reported that Vivian is “attracting the attention” of Premier League clubs. They name Arsenal, West Ham and Wolves as the clubs that are “following” him.

The report adds that Vivian’s current contract expires in 2023 and he has a release clause of around €40million.