BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks has claimed the acid test for Wolves is whether they can hang on to Nuno Espirito Santo and Raul Jimenez following their impressive return to the Premier League.
The Midlands giants are flying high in the top flight and secured a last-four spot in the FA Cup following Saturday night’s outstanding win against Manchester United.
Former striker Crooks hailed manager Nuno and in-form striker Jimenez as the star men after they reached their first FA Cup semi-final for 21 years.
“What a season this lad is having for Wolves,” Crooks said as he named Jimenez in his BBC Sport team of the week column. “The club are currently seventh in the Premier League table and in the semi-final of the FA Cup.
“You would have to go back to Andy Gray and John Richards to have seen days like these. Jimenez is clearly in that class, scoring goals and creating mayhem for the opposition has been the name of his game.
“The big test for Wolves now is can they keep him or their outstanding manager.”
OPINION
Are Jimenez and Nuno being too influential for Wolves to hang on to them? That question certainly needs to be asked following Saturday’s memorable win. What will certainly excite supporters is how passionately Jimenez celebrated the triumph, which took the club one step closer to the glory that has evaded them for so long. A winnable semi-final clash against Watford means Wolves are well placed to create history and provide further tangible evidence of the transformative effect of the Fosun takeover and the ambition that has led to so many advances on the pitch. Even the most optimistic Molineux regular could not have expected the club to have settled into Premier League life so quickly, seamlessly and to long-lasting effect. Wolves have not just made a huge impact with their superbly organised and eyecatching style, but they have staying power, too. Jimenez is emerging as one of the star players after a glut of goals and brilliant displays in recent months, while Nuno is the shrewd guiding hand who looks destined for a brilliant managerial career.