Raul Jimenez change revealed as Bruno Lage explains Wolves 'surprise'

Raul Jimenez debuted a new protective headband in the Premier League on Sunday and Bruno Lage believes it will help the striker become more potent in the air.

The Wolverhampton Wanderers forward resumed football last year after fracturing his skull in November 2020 on the proviso that he will wear head protection for the rest of his career. Jimenez has worn a variety of headbands since he first returned to training, and he wore a new model for the first time in Wolves’ defeat to Burnley on Sunday.

Jimenez - who scored more headed goals than any other player in the Premier League during the 2019/20 season - hasn’t scored with his head since returning to the field. The Mexican missed some gilt-edged opportunities in the opening weeks of the season, and Lage hopes the new, lighter headband which has been developed will help the striker rediscover his potency in the air.

“The science is improving and adapting,” said Lage. “This one is lighter and better for him. What we want is to put everyone fit and ready to score goals so the club is doing everything they can to help everyone be better every day.”

Jimenez started the 1-0 defeat at Turf Moor in an unfamiliar right wing position, alongside central striker Fabio Silva and Hwang Hee-chan in attack. The 30-year-old had lots of joy in the first half, but his influence disappeared after half-time as Burnley started to impose themselves on Wolves.

“It was also to create a surprise for the opponent,” said Lage, explained Jimenez’s unorthodox role. “Usually they play 4-4-2, so we tried to put a mix between him and Hwang. Hwang should be a mix between a winger and a third midfielder, sometimes we saw Joao (Moutinho), Leander (Dendoncker) and Hwang in position, and Raul was more of