“He’ll be a big surprise ‘- Wolves Boss Vitor Pereira confirms exciting plan for 2025/26 season involving ‘special’ talent
Wolves are licking their wounds today after falling to a second successive Premier League defeat against Brighton, but for one young player, it’s an exciting time.
Wanderers were beaten 2-0 by the Seagulls at Molineux, with Danny Welbeck and Brajan Gruda on target for the visitors.
After Welbeck had a goal chalked off for offside, he then opened the scoring from the penalty spot after careless play by Matheus Cunha on the edge of his own area.
Wolves did make a fist of the game and pushed for an equaliser, but Brighton killed the contest when Gruda scored on 85 minutes.
It was a frustrating one for Wolves to take, and Vitor Pereira will no doubt be looking for a big response in the next game against Palace.
And one man who may be hoping to start the game is Mateus Mane, who became Wolves’ youngest ever Premier League player with his debut against Brighton.
Vitor Pereira confirms Mateus Mane will be in Wolves’ first-team next season
Mane had made Wolves’ first-team squad a few times prior to Saturday’s game with Brighton.
There had been a sense that his debut was only a matter of time, with Pereira having spoken about him a couple of times publicly.
And sure enough, Pereira did turn to him in the latter stages of the defeat to Brighton.
There wasn’t much time for him to make an impact, but it is clear Pereira has seen something in Mane and that he’s pleased with what he’s seen from the talented youngster. And after the game, Mane sent a very wholesome message on Instagram to mark his proud moment.
Pereira has already said he doesn’t hand out token minutes, so Mane is clearly on an exciting trajectory.
And that trajectory will lead him to the first-team next season, with Pereira seemingly ruling out a loan move for next term.
He said (via E&S): “I’m sure he’ll be a surprise in England, in this league.
“He’s a player with talent and for sure next season he’ll be in the first team with us.
“He’s not only a talent, he’s a worker, and in that moment of the game it was not just to give him the minutes, it was because I think he can do something because he’s special.”
Pereira was also asked whether Mane’s young age will put him off using him, but the boss said: “I don’t care.”
Mane looks set for stardom at Wolves
Wolves have had a few players come through the academy in recent years, but fail to really push into the first-team and stay there.
The likes of Luke Cundle, Joe Hodge, Alfie Pond and Tawanda Chirewa have flirted with becoming regulars at Molineux, but ultimately fell short.
There is real excitement around Mane, given his progression since signing for the club back in March 2024.
Pereira seems to see a potential star in the making, and it’ll be brilliant to see him more involved with the first-team next season.
Matheus Cunha will leave Wolves via his release clause and there could also be other forwards outgoing, such as Goncalo Guedes, Pablo Sarabia, Hwang Hee-chan and Carlos Forbs.
If Mane can do well in pre-season, there is every chance Pereira will start turning to him right from the off, which would be fantastic to see.
