When Liverpool avenged their Premier League defeat at Molineux by advancing to the FA Cup quarter-finals at the same ground on the same week, it effectively signalled the end of Wolverhampton Wanderers‘ season.
For all the good work that Rob Edwards‘ side are doing right now, the chance of staging a great escape in the Premier League is infinitesimal, still 12 points adrift after back-to-back wins and with just nine fixtures left to play.
Of course, it’s not mathematically impossible, and there’s no denying that Wolves, enjoying a mini-revival, have a favourable run of games ahead of them, and now with the single-track-minded focus on just one front.
It would be unprecedented, but the Old Gold are improving, and with players like Mateus Mane emerging, the Molineux stands will continue to fill with hopeful fans.
Mateus Mane is becoming Wolves’ star man
Mane has only been involved in first-team training for one year, let alone playing and thriving in the Premier League for Wolves.
But already, he’s emerging as one of the brightest attacking prospects in the English game.
Mane has scored twice in the league this season, but he’s also dazzled through his tenacious and front-footed approach, powerful and skilled as an operator in tight spaces, fleet-footed and with natural awareness that cannot be taught, only grown from natural ground.
The Portugal-born England youth international is versatile and already coveted by England’s biggest outfits, Liverpool and Manchester United both sniffing around for the £50m-rated star.
Mateus Mane – Career Stats by Position
Position
Apps
Goals + Assists
Centre-forward
19
7 + 5
Attacking midfield
16
4 + 2
Central midfield
8
2 + 1
Right wing
4
2 + 2
Left wing
1
0 + 0
It’s imperative that Wolves keep him on the cards next season as they look to bounce right back up to the big time, but while Mane might be the flashiest, he’s probably not the most important player under Edwards’ management this season.
Wolves star has been more important than Hugo Bueno
Wolves were dealt a blow when Rayan Ait-Nouri was sold to Manchester City last summer, but while the recruitment has left a lot to be desired in recent years, the emergence of Hugo Bueno tempered that blow and then some.
Having enjoyed a successful loan spell with Feyenoord during the 2024/25 campaign, the left-sider has been consistent and dynamic throughout a rocky year, hailed for his “incredible” quality by former sporting director Matt Hobbs and now proving it.
Aged 23, he’s maturing and becoming a dangerous adjunct to Wolves’ attacking play while maintaining a focus on his defensive duties. He has created 1.1 chances and won 2.1 tackles and 4.3 duels per Premier League match this season.
It won’t be easy to keep the Spaniard on the books next season, should Wolves tumble into the second tier, but Edwards must fight tooth and nail to ensure that they do. Bueno, after all, has been recognised by a number of Premier League rivals, with Everton and Newcastle United both keen on completing a £20m deal in January.
Bueno is contracted to Molineux until 2028, and while there may be a temptation to sell him for a hefty fee this summer, it is more important that Edwards retains the core of his team so that he can march right back up to the big time.
After all, more prominent stars such as Joao Gomes and Andre will be eager to move on, but the need to sell has been lessened by the £48m sale of Jorgen Strand Larsen to Crystal Palace this winter.
For up-and-coming stars like Bueno and Mane, building around them in the Championship is more valuable to Wolves and their direction than cashing in.
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