Midfielder insists he is not yet the ‘finished product’ for Wolves after impressive start

The Spaniard wrote his name into club folklore and Black Country derby history with his winner against fierce rivals West Brom last weekend.

It was his fifth goal of the season, capping an electric start to the campaign for the 22-year-old, who is determined to maintain his form.

Asked if he is playing the best football of his career, Lopez said: “Totally.

“I’m young but I’m not like JJ (Jordan James), who made his debut at 17, because I grew very late and made my debut late.

“From last year to this year I grew 1.5 centimetres and I don’t think I’m the finished product. I need to evolve physically also and that's showing.

“I think I have the qualities, so if I’m evolving physically I think I can do good things.”

Lopez has played a key role for Wolves under Cesar Peixoto after a difficult first season at Molineux, during which he spent the second half of last campaign on loan at Celta Vigo, the club he joined Wolves from.

Pressing has been a central component of Peixoto’s approach, and it directly contributed to Lopez’s derby winner.

“For the gaffer it’s very important and Armstrong helps me with that because he’s an exceptional presser,” Lopez added.

“He’s also an exceptional player, but his pressing his crazy and he tries to guide me a bit on when to go, when not to go.

”Especially if we are tired we don’t go and we wait for a pressing trigger to go. He helps me a lot with that.

“Also having Trippier back in the side helps a lot with the language, with everything, and how he helps the team verbally.

“It’s one thing I need to improve and I’m happy. Thanks to that I scored the winning goal.”

Wolves’ top scorer will now look to continue his impressive start to the season with Spain Under-21s during the international break.

Lopez’s side face Finland, San Marino and Romania in a trio of Uefa Euro Under-21 qualifying matches.

“I’m very happy to represent my country,” Lopez said.

“I’m very proud, especially because sometimes you have the opportunity to train with the first team who are World Cup winners. It’s a great feeling and I’m trying to contribute there as well.”