Wolves starlet Mateus Mane got a run out with the first team during the Old Gold’s training camp in Portugal.
Wolves are currently in the Algarve, but the setting is far from that of a holiday.
Vitor Pereira’s squad are putting in the work ahead of their return to England for the first official pre-season fixture of the summer against Stoke City.
On Tuesday afternoon, Wolves faced Santa Clara in Portugal in a 70-minute training match, a game that saw some academy talents involved.
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Wolves players step up to support Mateus Mane
Upon returning from successive loan spells, Tawanda Chirewa was involved in the match-up, as were Alfie Pond, Leo Lopes and Mane.
On paper, the standout was Mane, who was handed his Premier League debut by Pereira in the latter stages of the 2024/25 season.
The 17-year-old signed his first professional contract before the pre-season trip to Portugal, as he looks to become a firm part of Pereira’s plans.
What the youngster might not have anticipated was to be played wildly out of position by the boss, as Mane was situated at right-wing-back against Santa Clara.
Usually deployed as a centre-forward, it was a trial-like setting for Mane, whose experience was helped by those also on the pitch with him.
“All of them were encouraging me, telling me not to worry, ‘if you make a mistake to keep your head up, you don’t usually play there but just try your best and you’ll do well’.
“Taking that into consideration, I think I did well,” Mane told Express and Star after the game.
The Portugal-born England U18 international then named three players who were particularly supportive during the contest.
“Doc [Doherty] was on my side and was helping me, communicating with me, when to chop back, when to go forward and telling me where to move. So he’s been really helpful.”
Matt Doherty is a candidate for Wolves captaincy, so the Irishman’s support was somewhat unsurprising, but there was a shock as Mane singled out new signing Fer Lopez as a source of guidance.
“[Strand] Larsen has been talking to me, Fer [Lopez] as well, telling me when to play in behind and play it short into his feet.”
Being only 21 himself and making his non-competitive debut for Wolves, it’s uplifting to hear that one of Lopez’s priorities was to help young Mane.
“They can teach me,” Mane continued.
“They can tell me what happened to them when stuff like this happened, playing out of position and telling me how they dealt with it. They just keep telling me stuff, so it’s good.”
What Mane said about playing wing-back
Pereira has already spoken highly of Mane, who is expected to spend more time around the Wolves first team next season.
Whether the gaffer sees an opening for the teen at right-wing-back remains to be seen, but it’s something that Mane is happy to try.
“I feel like it went well, but I’ve just got to get used to it now and see what comes out of it,” Mane said of playing further back.
“I don’t mind, wherever the manager puts me, I’ll try to play in it and show them what I can do. If that’s another way to get myself into the team, I’ll try my best and keep going.”
The teenager’s spirit and belief can’t be knocked, nor can his talent, three ingredients that could make Mane the next big young talent to emerge from Molineux.