Adama Traore is one of the most in-form players in the Premier League following a series of dynamic displays for Wolves.
The Spaniard has dazzled on the wing for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side this campaign, scoring four times and recording the same number of assists.
Three of those efforts have come in victories against reigning champions Manchester City, both home and away.
Traore has come a long way from the frustrated teenager who was playing in Barcelona’s academy and not only has he developed on the pitch, but he has also built up an impressively muscular physique.
Obviously your body changes as you grow older and Traore is no different, but his radical transformation is all the more noticeable, given he does not look like your archetypal footballer with his muscular arms and stocky frame.
A series of pictures have emerged in Spanish publication Marca showing how Traore, the former Aston Villa and Middlesbrough star, has changed from scrawny winger to a powerfully-built player who has become key to his side.
And the player even revealed he doesn’t actually lift weights when training.
“It’s hard to believe, but I don’t do weights. It’s genetic. I exercise, but I gain mass very quickly.”
Prior to Liverpool’s win over Wolves last weekend, Jurgen Klopp was full of praise for the 23-year-old.
“He finally found his manager who found a position for him.
“At Middlesbrough he was exceptional, but somebody had to give him the right information.
“[He is] A big, big talent. You would never have thought he is that young, but he is still very young, and now he has found it [the right manager]. It was always clear it would happen one day, and now it has. Good for Wolves!
“He is really dangerous. In a big space [Leicester striker] Jamie Vardy is difficult to defend, but I would say Traore is even more difficult to defend because his speed is exceptional.”
And despite his links to Barcelona, the winger would not rule out playing for Real Madrid should such a chance ever present itself.
“Why not? If I have the opportunity to go to Madrid, I will leave,” he told television programme Jugones on La Sexta.
“There was a misunderstanding with Barcelona when I left the club, it was not the best manner of exiting the club but that is a story I will keep to myself.
“Of course I would like to return to Spanish football, but I promised myself I would be a success in England.”
Adama moved to Aston Villa in 2015 and joined Middlesbrough a year later before joining Wolves in 2018.