Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Julen Lopetegui has provided an insight into the surprise absence of Goncalo Guedes from his matchday squad to face West Ham United on Saturday.
Wolves, of course, were back in action earlier this afternoon.
In the knowledge that a victory could guide them out of the bottom three at the expense of their opponents, the Midlands-based outfit welcomed David Moyes’ West Ham to Molineux.
And, when all was said and done, emerge on the right side of the result is precisely what Wolves went on to do.
A solitary goal ultimately proved enough to get the job done, as a lightning breakaway on the part of the hosts culminated in Daniel Podence rifling home from the edge of the penalty area:
The match winner 😍 pic.twitter.com/902G5iSaxg
— Wolves (@Wolves) January 14, 2023
As alluded to above, though, whilst those on display for Wolves were busy getting the job done, one high-profile member of the club’s first-team setup was nowhere to be seen.
Fresh off a starting berth in each of the club’s last two outings, attacker Guedes was, at the very least, expected to take his place on the bench this afternoon.
After being completely omitted at Molineux, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of his wide-man’s situation was put to Julen Lopetegui.
And Wolves’ boss was not shy in admitting that Guedes was simply left out against West Ham for tactical reasons.
Lopetegui also went on to assure, though, that the Portuguese remains very much ‘our player’.
Julen Lopetegui confirms leaving Goncalo Guedes out of the squad was a tactical decision. When asked if that has any indication on Guedes’ future, he says “he’s our player.” #wwfc
— Liam Keen (@LiamKeen_Star) January 14, 2023
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