Some players need some adaptation time when it comes to changing shirts, and also size.
And others don't.
Undoubtedly, Diogo Jota is part of the second category, of those who immediately conquer the hearts of their new supporters.
Recruited for 45 million euros by Liverpool on September 19, the 23-year-old Portuguese has been amazed since his arrival on the banks of the Mersey.
To the point of triggering rave comments from his coach Jurgen Klopp, seduced by the boy: “He's good, like all players should be when they come to us.
He's in great shape.
Despite being only 23 years old, he already has a lot of experience.
He's a really good boy and a great recruit.
We knew it wouldn't take long for him to adjust given the level of intensity in Wolves. ”
Fastest Brilliant since Robbie Fowler in 1993
Admittedly, Wolverhampton was undoubtedly a good school but from there to see it presenting such statistics - 5 goals in the Premier League in 8 matches played (including 5 starts) and 4 in the Champions League - so early in the season has de what to surprise.
Especially that a priori, he left in the costume of a simple replacement behind the trio Mohamed Salah-Sadio Mané-Roberto Firmino, particularly efficient and installed after the title conquered by the Reds hands down last season.
But between the injuries of some and the Covid-19 of others, the Portuguese was able to pull out of the game and make his playing time profitable beyond the wildest hopes since it is necessary to go back to the beginnings, in 1993, of a certain Robbie Fowler to find traces of such a thunderous debut at Liverpool.
A state of form all the more impressive as Jota remains on 8 goals scored in his last 8 matches played, as well as 3 in the Portuguese selection during the Nations League, including a double against Sweden on October 14.
A revelation that must undoubtedly leave a lot of regrets on the side of… Atlético Madrid.
Indeed, after becoming the youngest goalscorer in the history of Paços de Ferreira in the Portuguese league, at the age of 18 and a half, Diogo Jota was recruited by the Colchoneros in the summer of 2016. A Spanish club that was not going however not give him the slightest chance to prove himself by lending him in quick succession to Porto, then to Wolverhampton where he had to make his ranges in the Championship, the English second division, during the 2017-2018 season.
With 17 goals scored, the Portuguese did not take long to seduce his coach and compatriot, Nuno Espirito Santo, who decided to hire him to face the Premier League, which Wolves had just entered.
Two additional seasons at 9 and 7 goals then confirmed his potential and were enough to catch the eye of a certain Jurgen Klopp, eager to strengthen his offensive sector too dependent on his trio Salah-Mané-Firmino.
Future successor of Firmino?
The German technician is particularly seduced by the versatility of Diogo Jota, who is not a monster on the physical level (1.78m and 69 kilos), but whose technical palette and qualities in front of the goal allow him to evolve to any position of the immutable 4-3-3 liverpudlien.
A blessed moment that the native of Porto enjoys, while playing it tactically, thanking his friends Mané and Salah: “Obviously, I play in the best team of my career.
Sadio and Mohamed are two world class players.
We all know their qualities make it easier for me because they are exceptional players and I think we had a great game together today. ”
Some already readily imagine him as Roberto Firmino's successor, which may have gone too quickly for a player who still needs to show consistency since at Wolverhampton he also tended to be very brilliant on a series of several consecutive matches before disappearing during the same number of matches.
But if he gains in consistency, there is no doubt that a royal road opens before him.
Starting with this Tuesday evening against Ajax Amsterdam in the Champions League (9:00 p.m.)?
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