Wolves will feel disappointed that they didn’t sign a ‘magnificent’ talent when he was aged 16 as he’s now one of the world’s best.
In the embryonic stages of this summer transfer window, Wolves have made it clear that they aim to sign young players with a high ceiling.
Tommy Doyle, Rodrigo Gomes and the incoming Pedro Lima are all under the age of 23 while striker Jorgen Strand Larsen – who will undergo a medical ahead of a move to Molineux next week – is just 24-years-old.
Gary O’Neil plans to build for the future as opposed to the present, and while that has seen several talented gems arrive in Wolverhampton, he could have had another on his hands if they landed a ‘magnificent’ player in 2018.
Wolves very nearly signed Chelsea star Cole Palmer in 2018
Chelsea winger Cole Palmer obliterated the Premier League last term after producing an eye-watering 33-goal contributions in 34 appearances, scoring 22 and adding 11 assists following his £40 million move from Manchester City.
Palmer is currently on international duty with England at Euro 2024 and the fleet-footed winger impressed on his tournament debut, coming off the bench against Slovakia on Tuesday.
Hailed as ‘one of the best in the world’ by teammate Reece James in May, the talented whiz has reached new heights since arriving in West London and Wolves supporters will be sad to hear they almost signed Palmer when he was 16.
In an interview with The Times, former head of the under-18s at Man City, Scott Sellars explained how Palmer didn’t mature between the ages of 13 and 15 – like most other players – and he struggled to compete in some matches.
“The smaller ones find it tough from around the ages of 13 to 15,” said Sellars. “That’s when a lot of kids mature and some don’t and Cole didn’t start to mature at all at that age.
“He would find it difficult in some games and be successful in others. The consistency is harder to find at that age for smaller players. “He always had an inner determination, I always felt that about Cole.
“He always felt he had something to prove and he would do that. Off the pitch he was one of the lads, a typical cheeky Manchester boy but I did see him have that edge on the pitch.
The prospect of him leaving City as a 16-year-old alerted rival clubs, including Wolves, with the report claiming the Wanderers were ‘keen’ to sign him.
Wolves saw Cole Palmer’s talent early
After struggling during parts of his youth development, Palmer is now one of the most promising youngsters on the planet.
He’s earned that place through sheer determination and work ethic but also through his wand of a left foot, that devastated opposition defenders week in and week out last term.
The fact Wolves were keen on signing him just showed they saw his talent from an early age and unfortunately, weren’t able to prise him to Molineux.
If they did, it would be interesting to see whether his career would have planned out like it has.