It’s been a busy week of international football for many of Nuno’s players, with some only returning to Compton as late as Thursday.
But with Willy Boly as the only player out of the Premier League squad due to the red card he picked up against Everton last time out, the head coach is pleased with the way his players have given him difficult decisions to make for the 3pm kick-off.
On summer signings adapting
“All of the players who came in, not only this season but the season before, have been adapting well and we know that one of the best things is the way that the squad receives them and the way the squad helps them integrate.
“Then it is all about time, dedication and these aspects have been very good.”
On Vallejo’s changes of playing against Chelsea
“Jesus [Vallejo] has been settling well, he’s happy in the city, he’s been working hard every day, and this is how it has to be.
“He was involved in the under-21s Euro Championship during the summer, and it’s not been the best for him to play Sunday, Thursday, Sunday, Thursday.
“I think he needed more time to recover on that moment of the season, now of course he’s getting fitter and more integrated in the team and now I think all the players are ready to face these tough moments that is playing Sunday, Thursday and Sunday again.
“All the squad is ready for it.”
On his international players
“Having players on national teams is something that we are proud of and we have to deal with that because at the same time there is the ambition of the player of representing his own country.
“There is nothing better than that in a football player’s career, to play for your country and we have to respect it – friendly or official game.”
On Jimenez’s international selection
“It will take Raul longer [to recover] because he’s always playing on the other side of the world. He arrived Thursday, seven o’clock in the morning, so you have to deal with all these aspects and try together to get everybody prepare to go and make the best decision that you have.
“If the decision [to not select Jimenez for Mexico’s games in October and November] comes from [Gerardo] Martino, we will welcome that, because he will avoid making 10/15 hours in a plane, coming back with jetlag – something that he is used to but he has to deal with each and every moment, and it’s tough, but he’s doing well.
“He’s facing this situation in a very good way, knowing that requires a lot from him because he has to recover and play, recover and play, and it’s tough.”
On 130 years at Molineux
“You can see how many fantastic nights at Molineux we’ve had and to be part of the history of this club and these moments, it’s a big honour.
“Going from the glory down to when the players had to train on the car park outside of Molineux, then going up, going down and back up again. This is history and I’m very proud being part of that.
“Managers, coaches, and all the staff should be proud of being there, and to be there tomorrow, it should be a fantastic day. But we still have to play the game, and this is what’s more important.”
