Fer López explains how his role is helping him express himself

“They put me in a position that helps me play the way I do now,” Fer López said. The midfielder also stressed that he likes a project in which the coach wants to play football and the team aims to keep possession. He thanked the staff for believing in him and said he hopes to earn more honours.

The comments contrast with a first Premier League season that did not go as he had hoped. In November, not long after his arrival, Wolverhampton parted ways with Vítor Pereira. López, who came from Celta and was signed for 23 million euros, then had to adjust to a new reality: when he returned to Molineux in the summer, he found Wolverhampton relegated to the second division.

His role as an attacking midfielder in César Peixoto’s 1-4-2-3-1 comes at a time when supporters are hoping a physical issue will not prevent him from playing against Middlesbrough. The problem had forced him to return early from the under-21 squad.

After the 3-1 win over Preston, Peixoto praised López’s performance, quality and work rate, while setting him a challenge: sustain that level for all 90 minutes and feel comfortable with the team’s style of play.