Jon Hunter-Barrett, Wolves’ academy manager for football, has praised Chem Campbell for his versatility.
Campbell has been biding his time for a proper first-team chance at Wolves, having made his debut last season.
Campbell featured against Newcastle United at St. James’ park earlier this year and this season he has been a regular member of the matchday squad.
But opportunities have been a bit hard to come by.
He has Pedro Neto, Adama Traore, Daniel Podence, Hwang Hee-chan and Goncalo Guedes all ahead of him, so he’s been limited to just five appearances so far for just 68 minutes of pitch time.
There has been a bit of clamour for Campbell to feature a bit more.
After all, Wanderers have been really poor in the final third and it’s possible changes need to be made.
Julen Lopetegui is in now and will be taking a close look at Campbell to see if he is someone who can help fix this goalscoring issue.
The good thing about Campbell is that he is very versatile, so Lopetegui may be able to find a way to get him in the team.
Wolves’ academy manager Hunter-Barrett believes that trait will stand him in good stead.
He said (via Express & Star): “With the individual quality he poses, Chem has actually played a number of positions for us.
“He’s played as a centre midfielder, central of a back three, a winger, false nine and attacking midfielder.
“It sometimes makes players more employable being able to play multiple positions and having that appreciation of what a centre back or midfielder is thinking or feeling in the game. With Chem’s position playing as dominantly as a seven or 11, it helps him understand the types of runs and movements he needs to make for players that will be playing in deeper positions.”
“It’s not been linear for him, he’s had his setbacks but we’re delighted to see his progression and where he’s at now. We’ve seen how much he’s developed as a person and how much that helps his football, it’s just understanding and appreciating where he’s actually at – he’s come on leaps and bounds and he’s now a man.”
Chem Campbell’s versatility will really help him in his career, at Wolves or anywhere else
Campbell being able to play all these different positions will undoubtedly be a great thing for him in the future.
It is so important for players to be able to operate in different roles these days.
Campbell having that appreciation of other roles will be key in helping him to excel as a winger. He will know what other players are thinking, having been there himself.
Campbell, who signed a new deal with Wolves last month, has been the least-used forward in the first-team so far this season.
But his time will come, and maybe Lopetegui will see the potential in him for him to play more.