Wolves boss Nuno still backing ‘super athlete’ Adama Traore
Nuno Espirito Santo has suggested he will stand by Wolves speedster Adama Traore while hailing him as a ‘super athlete and a fantastic football player’.
Traore has divided opinion since arriving at Molineux last summer from Middlesbrough for a then club record £18million.
The 23-year-old former Barcelona man has only scored once for Wolves, and many feel his end product needs improving, but he has still proved a threat with his outstanding pace.
Nuno, though, has urged him to be quicker in possession, saying: “He has to be faster. Faster with the ball.
“It’s a lot of work, but I think we are doing well.
“Not all the players who come have to have immediate success, immediately reach their highest point.
“I still believe a lot of us will become better. It’s about time, trust and confidence.”
There have been question marks over Traore’s long-term future as he has struggled to shine for Wolves as, being an out-and-out winger, he was better suited to the old 3-4-3 formation than the greatly successful 3-5-2 introduced towards the end of last year.
He has featured up front and at right wing-back, but never had a sustained run as a starter, making just eight starts last term.
When he has played, the Spaniard has troubled opponents with his speed and strength, and Nuno recognises him as one of the best athletes he has come across in the game.
“Definitely. He’s a fantastic athlete. He’s a super athlete and a fantastic football player,” he added.
“Like all of us, he has learned.
“The idea we have is to always improve the player. If we are improving the player, we’re improving the team.”
Meanwhile, another wideman could be heading out on loan.
Shrewsbury Town are believed to be interested in Ryan Giles.
It is thought Giles, 19, is on former Wolves defender Sam Ricketts’ radar as he looks to kick on at Montgomery Waters Meadow.
A significant number of clubs would be interested in taking Giles on loan, but Shrewsbury could head the queue.
He has previously been on loan at AFC Telford United.
He starred for the Bucks in his first stint in senior football by helping them avoid relegation in the 2017/18 season.
And Giles made his senior debut for Wolves on his 19th birthday in the FA Cup at Shrewsbury in January, playing as a left wing-back.
