Max Kilman has enjoyed another great season for Wolves – and Andy Thompson believes he is now one of the best players in the Premier League at doing one thing.
Kilman put in a solid performance at the weekend in the 2-0 defeat to Arsenal, which was his 39th appearance so far this season.
Kilman has been practically ever-present for Wanderers, and has really grown into the role of captain, after Ruben Neves left in the summer.
The 26-year-old was the most involved player for Wolves against Arsenal, having a whopping 103 touches of the ball. He also played the most passes 76/91 (84%). His 103 touches and 91 attempted passes were the most of any Wolves or Arsenal player in the game.
Sadly Wolves lost the game, but Andy Thompson was keen to praise Kilman for his efforts afterwards – and made a pretty big claim about the Molineux captain…
Andy Thompson says Max Kilman is now one of the Premier League’s best one-vs-one defenders
Since Kilman has been a regular pick in the Wolves team, fans have generally associated him with his ball-playing.
He has always been fantastic with the ball at his feet, and has a wonderful range with both feet.
Kilman is a classy operator, and is very capable of breaking the lines to find a forward, or spray balls out to the wing-backs Conor Coady-style.
But this term, Kilman’s defending has improved and in the eyes of Andy Thompson, the Englishman is actually now one of the best in the league when it comes to actual one-vs-one defending.
He said on Matchday Live Extra: “He played well. He’s probably one of the best in the Premier League one-vs-one defending. He just seems to get better every time we see him. He’s comfortable on the ball. he heads it, he’ll pass it, he challenges for things, he’s strong, he’s a good player and he’s getting better.”
Kilman should be on many transfer radars
Kilman – who was recently branded better than Harry Maguire by former Old Gold midfielder Simon Osborn – continues to enhance his reputation at Wolves, and he looking more and more accomplished.
The captaincy may well have helped him. The armband obviously brings about a level of responsibility, and Kilman looks comfortable wearing it now which wasn’t necessarily the case in the beginning.
Kilman was recently linked with Manchester United. There have also been claims in the past that West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur are keen, and obviously last summer Napoli attempted to buy him.
Maybe Fosun will hear offers, but hopefully he doesn’t depart in the summer. There’s no doubt though that he is now a player worthy of being on a lot of transfer radars.