One Wolves academy star could be paving his way to the first team with a thought to next season.
Vitor Pereira is actively assessing Wolves’ academy, admitting that he consistently brings budding talent into his view.
There are several areas that the club need to improve ahead of next season, one of which is the rate at which Wolves offer opportunities to young players.
Work is underway to attempt to locate the next big thing, with as many as ten players impressing in the academy enough to be regarded as having a promising future at the club.
Wolves U18 coach Richard Walker praises Mateus Mane
One of the Old Gold’s brightest young talents is Mateus Mane, who has seven caps to his name for England U18.
Mane was included in The Guardian’s Next Generation list, tipped to have a big future ahead of him, with the likes of Bukayo Saka and Trent Alexander-Arnold once making the cut.
The 17-year-old is currently learning his craft with Wolves U18, for whom he’s contributed nine goals in only 13 U18 Premier League appearances this season.
Most recently, Mane was in action in the competition against Manchester City U18, an academy that has produced some of Europe’s best.
Speaking after the game to Wolves’ official website was U18 head coach Richard Walker, who described Mane as being ‘the best player on the day’ despite the quality Man City had on show.
“We’re here to develop players, and I thought they had a really expensively assembled squad, but I felt we had the best player on the day in Mateus Mane, who was excellent.
“[He] showed real quality, and they struggled with what he was bringing to the table, and I felt for him that he didn’t get the goal that his performance deserved.”
Walker is loving what he’s seeing from Mane, ensuring that the teenager’s performances aren’t overlooked when a disappointing result occurs.
Mateus Mane has Vitor Pereira’s approval
The Wolves U18 head coach isn’t the only figure at Compton Park to be dazzled by the starlet’s potential.
Pereira spoke highly of Mane after naming the youngster on the bench for Wolves’ Premier League defeat to Fulham.
“He’s a talented player, I believe he has a big future at our club and I hope to give him the opportunity to play very soon,” the Wolves manager said, making his trust in Mane’s ability known.
The Portugal-born prodigy is a player being watched closely by Pereira, who could just hand the teen the foundations to make it at senior level at Molineux.