Mateus Mane has come out of Wolves’ loss to Liverpool with his head held high.
The 18-year-old was one of the biggest positives despite the defeat, with Rob Edwards praising him after the game.
His performance also prompted reactions from Liverpool fans who were wildly impressed with the Molineux talent.
However, while praise for Mane has been coming through in the aftermath of the game, two Wolves legends believe that there is one area he must do better in.
Lee Naylor and Andy Thompson have both praised the attacker, but they also provided some criticism and advice for what he has to improve on.
Use just one word to describe Mateus Mane’s display vs Liverpool 👏🏻
Lee Naylor believes Mateus Mane must improve decision-making
Lee Naylor was on hand to deliver his instant reaction to Wolves’ 2-1 loss to Liverpool, and Mateus Mane was, of course, a big topic to discuss.
Despite it being the 18-year-old’s first start this season, Naylor believes he should not be treated like a kid and that when you come into the first team, there are expectations that must be met in regard to decision-making.
Lee Naylor said (via Wolves Matchday Live), “I look at him like a Keaney. Keaney was 17 when he came into the team, so I look at him like that. He is a year older than Keane was when he came into the team, so I can sort of compare. I can understand the expectation, but decision-making is massive.”
How far do you think Mateus Mane can go in the world of football?
Lee Naylor has put high huge pressure on him 👀
However, while he used Robbie Keane as an example of a young talent who had good decision-making, he insists he is not trying to directly compare them.
“It is hard for me, as I put him up against other people I have played with, and he is playing in the Premier League. Keano at the time was playing in the Championship. I’m not comparing them, as Keano was an absolute legend… But I just need more from him,” he continued to say.
Naylor was not alone in his assessment, as Andy Thompson also agreed with him in regard to where Mane must do better.
Andy Thompson backs up Lee Naylor’s Mateus Mane opinion
Andy Thompson, who was alongside Lee Naylor, completely agreed with this assessment of Mane’s performance.
Thompson said, “You can see Mane as well; the positions he gets into are good – half-turn – he wants to get at, be positive in the way he plays, but what Nayls is touching on is that once he is in this team in the Premier League, that decision-making he has got to learn fast.
“I know he is only a young lad, but if you are going to excel in this league, you have got to get this right.”
“He is willing to make things happen, but there were a half dozen times when he got into one position where the ball had to be offloaded to the player in front of him, and that comes with experience, but this is an unforgiving league.”
The pair may be right. The saying “if you are good enough, you are old enough” means that Mateus Mane should be treated like a first-team player rather than a kid.
At the Premier League level, players have to be at it, and that is the case even for the younger talents across the division.
Mateus Mane does not lack courage, he does not lack bravery, and he certainly does not lack quality. However, he will need to mature quite quickly with his decision-making if he wants to be the success at Molineux that the early signs are pointing towards.
While Mane was great vs Liverpool, there was another Wolves star who should be proud.
Receive a digest of our best Wolverhampton Wanderers content each week direct to your mailbox
Join the fan conversation
