Wolverhampton Wanderers are plotting a summer swoop for a La Liga winger as Julen Lopetegui aims to continue his rebuild at Molineux.
What’s the latest on Abde Ezzalzouli’s move to Wolves?
According to the print edition of the Sunday Mirror (12/2/22, page 73), Barcelona are now open to offers for young winger Ezzalzouli as Xavi seeks to improve the club’s financial situation by selling a few players, and the 21-year-old is one for whom he is willing to entertain bids.
The Old Gold were linked with a move for the youngster during the January transfer window but nothing materialised, although this recent update from Barcelona could well pique Lopetegui’s interest once again.
Could Ezzalzouli become Wolves’ next Adama Traore?
The Moroccan winger has spent the season on loan with Osasuna, playing 14 matches in La Liga while registering two assists, and it seems evident that he could have a bright future in the game.
He made his Barcelona debut last season and Xavi lavished praise on him, Gavi, and Ronald Araujo, describing them as players who are “bursting with personality”.
Ezzalzouli has similar attributes which could see him become Wolves’ next Traore if he continues on his upward trajectory. The Barcelona coach even dubbed him as “spectacular” previously, and the Old Gold could be signing a wonderful talent if the 21-year-old makes the move to England this summer.
Traore has been a bit hit-and-miss since joining the club in 2018. Across 178 matches in all competitions for the Premier League outfit, he has scored just 13 goals and registered 18 assists, yet his relentless nature and explosive pace ensures that he is always a threat when playing.
Over the course of his career, the 27-year-old has averaged 4.1 dribbles and one key pass per game, proving that despite his lack of goals, he is certainly able to create plenty of chances for others.
According to FBref, Traore and Ezzalzouli are statistically similar footballers, with the Wolves star the fifth-most similar player to the Barcelona sensation.
This season has seen the two players register similar statistics when it comes to goal contributions (two each), total shots (14 to 13), goal-creating actions (three each), successful take-ons (23 to 14), and touches in the attacking third (220 to 196).
These figures clearly show that both players have a keen eye for goal while retaining the ability to successfully beat opponents and create chances for team-mates.
Ezzalzouli is still quite raw, although Lopetegui could see a move as the chance to develop him into one of the most talented wingers on the continent. He could well blossom into the next Traore at Molineux, albeit one who is far more clinical.
