Wolves recently signed Mateus Mane, and the club’s U18s manager Richard Walker dropped an exciting verdict on the player after he shone against Derby County.
Wanderers landed Mane back in March, signing the youngster from Rochdale.
Mane also had a trial with Southampton, but ultimately decided to sign with Wolves in what is seen as a really positive move by the club.
Mane is still only 16, but is looking to make his presence felt in the academy and is hopeful of progressing through the ranks as quickly as possible.
On Sunday, Mane featured for the club’s U18s for the first time since his move to the club – and his performance left manager Richard Walker pretty pleased.
After the game, he dropped a very encouraging verdict on the starlet…
Mateus Mane ‘excellent’ for Wolves U18s v Derby as Walker tips him for exciting future
At the moment there are several bright young talents on the books at Molineux.
A number of youngsters have been handed their first-team debuts in recent times, with the likes of Nathan Fraser, Leon Chiwome and Tawanda Chirewa all getting chances from Gary O’Neil this season, amid a spate of injuries.
It just shows that there is a pathway there, and that hard work can result in opportunity.
Mane may have only just signed for the club, but he will certainly have eyes on making it into that first-team as quickly as possible.
He was in action for the U18s against Derby on Monday – and it was a good performance from Walker’s side, as they came from a goal down to win 3-1.
There were two goals from Dani Angel, and one from the electric Mane, who was making his debut.
Mane actually grabbed an assist first, showing great anticipation to win the ball back for Wolves in the Derby area after a poor pass back.
He supplied a perfect low cross to the back post for an easy tap-in for Dani Angel.
Mane then scored in the second-half. He latched on to a ball down the right wing, putting the ball over the defender’s head before making a beeline for the area.
Coming in from the right side, Mane then shifted inside with a stepover before firing in low at the near post.
It was a brilliant show of confidence, and after the game, Walker expressed his delight with the teenager. He said (via Wolves official): “Delighted for him, he was one of five U16s playing today.
“I thought he was excellent; we know his hunger for the game and his hunger to learn and I think that is evident in the way he plays.
“As a group of staff, we are really looking forward to continuing to work with him and help him because he has plenty to be excited about.”
Mane one to watch
It is great to see Mane making a fairly quick impact in the academy.
The youngster looks to be a real livewire, and hopefully the coaches can really nurture and develop him. The fact he’s already playing above his own age group is definitely encouraging.
Mane has seen that youth is given a chance at Wolves and will certainly be encouraged to just express himself.
Chirewa is a good example for him to follow – the star signed for Wolves back in September 2023, and has already racked up 10 first-team appearances. Granted, Wolves had injuries problems which helped him come through, but O’Neil still had enough faith in him to actually use him.
Mane is obviously a bit younger and it could be some time before we see him in a first-team setting. But who knows, he might just catch the manager’s eye in pre-season.