Pre-season always presents an opportunity for players to catch their manager’s eye – and one youngster appears to have done that at Wolves.
Gary O’Neil has been putting the players through their paces over the last few weeks, and there has been a good intensity in both training sessions and games.
Wolves have recorded a few wins but more importantly, the players have looked fit and been performing well.
One youngster who has given a good account of himself over the past few weeks is Luke Cundle, who has been suggested as a possible outgoing at Molineux this summer.
Cundle spent last season out on loan at Plymouth Argyle and then Stoke City.
But journalist Liam Keen has been speaking about the youngster and his future at the club, and it seems there is a chance he could be staying.
Luke Cundle could yet stay at Wolves amid new speculation over his future
Competition for minutes in midfield at Wolves is very tough.
Mario Lemina and Joao Gomes are the go-to picks for O’Neil, and he then has Tommy Doyle who offers more technicality.
Boubacar Traore is another good option for the manager, and in pre-season Jean Ricner-Bellegarde has been playing a bit deeper and looking impressive.
So on the face of it, Cundle sticking around seems a tad unlikely.
However, journalist Liam Keen has spoken about Cundle on the latest E&S podcast, and has suggested his exit from the club may not be so nailed-on.
Addressing the links to Stoke, he said: “As far as I’m aware, Stoke are open and willing to have him back.
“But it’s a slightly different situation with Cundle than it was previously in that, he’s actually done quite well in pre-season. I think Gary has been quite pleased with him.
“He’s played well in the games he’s played in as well. It’s definitely not impossible that he ends up staying around the team at the moment.”
“Cundle, there’s a chance he could stay now based on the way pre-season has gone for him. If he does move, it will probably be a bit later in the window once Wolves have got an idea of where their squad is going to be. One to keep an eye on, he’s done well in pre-season and given himself a chance.”
Cundle staying would be a surprise
It would be brilliant to see Cundle sticking around at Wolves and perhaps being an option for O’Neil.
The academy graduate has clearly benefitted from his season out on loan in 2023/24. Indeed, he recently spoke about having ‘more of an all-round game’ now.
If he was to stay, then that could perhaps cast some doubt over the future of Traore, who has been linked with RC Lens recently. Or O’Neil could potentially keep both and have five options, with Joe Hodge to leave on loan.
We will see what happens, but it is great to hear that Cundle has pleased the manager and at least has a chance to be a first-team option in 2024/25.