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Wolves: Julen Lopetegui wanted to keep Joe Hodge

Wolves: Julen Lopetegui wanted to keep Joe Hodge - Premier League News

Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joe Hodge could’ve headed out the Molineux exit door before the transfer deadline – but Julen Lopetegui opted to keep him, according to reporter Liam Keen.

The Lowdown: Hodge’s season

The 20-year-old has experienced his first season in the senior plans at Wolves, with him playing 10 times so far this campaign.

He made his Premier League debut back in October but has only managed to come off the bench once in the previous seven league outings, starting Lopetegui’s first league game in charge against Everton.

He’s since started both FA Cup clashes against Liverpool, making himself a useful option in the middle of the park at Molineux.

The Latest: Keen’s comments

It seems as though he will now be able to continue his development in and around the senior side, with Keen revealing on the Express & Star YouTube channel that Lopetegui opted against letting the Irishman leave this month, saying:

“Joe Hodge was potentially going to go out [on loan] – small bit of news on that is Julen Lopetegui made the decision himself that he wants to keep him, which is a big call because Wolves are going to have seven central midfielders.

“So you’d have thought maybe they’d have liked to see him go and get game time, but the manager likes him, it’s a big decision to keep him, and hopefully he gets opportunities.”

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The Verdict: Part of the plans

Lopetegui made his belief in Hodge crystal clear when the 20-year-old penned a new long-term deal at Wolves earlier this month (via Wolves).

But with Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho and Matheus Nunes being the Spaniard’s preferred midfield three, with the Portuguese gems all playing the most amount of minutes amongst centre-midfielders at Wolves (via WhoScored), Hodge may have been tempted by a temporary departure.

He was an unused substitute against West Ham United in his latest league matchday appearance alongside new signing Mario Lemina.

Wolves boast incredible experience between the four central midfielders at their disposal, potentially giving the youngster – dubbed a “very exciting talent” by reporter Mark McCadden – the ideal place to learn and develop.

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