Mateus Mane is one of the hottest prospects emerging through the academy at Wolves, and the 17-year-old has lofty aims ahead of 2025/26.
Wolves signed Mateus Mane from Rochdale at the start of 2024, seeing the teenager as someone capable of becoming a special talent in the future.
The English forward has since spent most of his time playing for the under-18s and catching the eye of manager Richard Walker, who tipped Mane for an exciting career in the sport.
Naturally, when a youngster impresses in the underage groups, a call-up to the first team is mooted. The 17-year-old plundered seven goals and four assists for the under-18s in 2024/25 and was noticed by Wolves manager Vitor Pereira.
After promising him an opportunity in the senior setup before the campaign drew to a close, Mane was given his Premier League debut against Brighton in May, becoming the youngest Wolves player to feature in the competition. Now, with that experience under his belt, he’s aiming higher.
Mateus Mane wants to start for Wolves in 2025/26
A standout campaign in the youth setup and catching the eye for the first team saw the winger attract the attention of some big Premier League clubs.
Thankfully, Mane signed his first professional contract with Wolves weeks ago, and since then, he has been impressing in pre-season.
Mane was called up to Wolves’ pre-season squad in Portugal, and he featured as a wing-back in fixtures against CD Santa Clara and Burnley before returning to England this weekend.
With Pereira already confirming a first-team place for Mane in 2025/26, the 2007-born talent has already outlined his aims for the season, and one of those is to become a starter.
“Try and get more appearances, a few more, then hopefully get another international call-up,” Mane said when asked for his targets for next season,” Mane told the E&S.
“Try and get a start this season, that’s my aim now. Thanks to all the fans for wanting to see how I play. When that time comes, I’ll show them what I can do.”
Wolves fans will be excited about the last line, as Mane has promised to showcase the full depth of his talent when given the opportunity.
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Mane shares his thoughts on Vitor Pereira and pre-season
In their latest pre-season outing this weekend, Wolves take on Championship side Stoke City at the bet365 stadium.
Former Stoke loanee Ki-Jana Hoever will be looking to impress now that Nelson Semedo has left, as will Mane, who has given his thoughts on pre-season so far and manager Pereira.
“When we’re not training it’s been fun and we’ve been joking, but when we’re on the pitch, he’s serious and wants us to do well and always teaching us,” he said.
“He wants to get his job done and he’ll tell us if we’re not doing it properly and he’ll tell us if we are doing it properly. He’s a good manager.
“He’s believing in me and I’ve got to prove to him that I can do what I can do and I’m going to show him that.”
Mane adds that he wants to contribute in the final third to give himself every chance of playing against Manchester City on August 16.
“It’s all about taking that opportunity. Now I’m trying to look forward to get a goal at least, or an assist. I’m going to keep working.
“Getting at players, crossing the ball, getting assists, good touches, creating goals, that’s what it’s about.”