Wolves might be inspired to send academy jewel Nathan Fraser on loan next season, in a move that could take the teenager closer to a full breakthrough into Gary O’Neil’s side.
Wolves handed academy graduate Nathan Fraser his full Premier League debut on Saturday against Fulham at Molineux.
The 19-year-old was selected to lead the line by Gary O’Neil amid the Old Gold’s current injury woes in the attacking areas.
With Hwang Hee-chan and Matheus Cunha absent, Fraser was given his chance to shine against the Londoners, putting in an impressive display in what was a difficult game for the hosts.
The Wolverhampton-born star has made seven senior appearances for his boyhood club so far in his career, scoring two goals that have both come in cup competitions this campaign under O’Neil.
While the teenager looks to have flown the nest from the academy, he is still not at the top of the pecking order in the first team, with one method that has worked for Wolves before having the keys to unlock his full potential.
Nathan Fraser should follow Morgan Gibbs-White blueprint next season
Loan spells have both worked and failed for Wolves over the years, with one academy star thriving when deployed elsewhere to gain experience.
In the 2020/21 campaign, Morgan Gibbs-White made 11 Premier League appearances for the Old Gold, paving the way for him to be sent on a season-long loan to Sheffield United in the Championship the year after.
During the 2021/22 season in the second tier, the Englishman secured 22 goal contributions in 37 appearances for the Blades, igniting not only his career but the profit he could hand Wolves.
In 2022, the Midlands club received a £42.5m profit from the sale of the academy graduate to Nottingham Forest, showcasing just how beneficial the loan spell was for both parties.
Now a Premier League regular, Gibbs-White’s pathway at Molineux could inspire O’Neil to send Fraser on a similar journey, with minutes away from the club having the potential to unlock his game in a parallel way.
The signs are there that Nathan Fraser could make it at Wolves
Just like Gibbs-White was, Fraser is on the cusp of securing himself as a first-team squad member at Wolves, with his minutes increasing under O’Neil.
Currently, the Irishman’s place in the squad is not guaranteed, with his current stance in the XI being a result of the injury woes around him.
By stretching his legs on loan, the teenager could widen his prospects both with reference to his career and his future at Wolves.
The 19-year-old is yet to secure regular minutes at senior level, which he could be provided with if O’Neil decides that a loan for the 2024/25 season is an appropriate journey for the striker.
Lauded as “excellent” by the manager earlier this season, it’s clear to see that the boss rates the youngster highly, with little fear of a loan marking the end of his time at Wolves, which has been the case for some players that have ventured away before him.
Only time will tell if Fraser is to remain at Molineux next season, with a loan spell having the potential to sculpt the forward into a more established senior figure.