PREMIER LEAGUE The cubs of Wolf Street
Ambitious Molineux mob throw millions at kids to get to very top
WOLVES’ assault on the Premier League is hotting up – and they now want to sign the best young talent on the planet.
The ambitious Molineux club is undertaking a massive recruitment drive at academy level as they shift their gaze towards market leaders Chelsea and Manchester City.
Owners Fosun International have committed to a six-fold increase in their budget, confirming yet again that they mean business.
Only last week, executive chairman Jeff Shi, said the aim was for Wolves to become “the biggest club in the world”.
Elevation
And one of the ways to achieve that is by developing their own.
The club has enjoyed limited success in that field during the past two decades.
Players such as Ireland’s most-capped international Robbie Keane and Joleon Lescott, a title winner with Manchester City, were both schooled at Molineux.
But only Crystal Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey has come through in the past decade.
However, the Midlanders have high hopes for England Under-18 international Morgan Gibbs-white. The 18-year-old midfielder guided England to the Under-17s World Cup last year, scoring in the final against Spain in India.
Wolves have been quietly adding staff since their elevation to the top flight, bolstering numbers at the club’s Compton training base.
The number of behind-thescenes employees has risen above 50, with their annual spend now heading towards £10million – it was previously pegged at £1.5m.
Strengthening is taking place in all areas at youth level.
Not only are additional coaching staff in place, but Wolves are also beefing up their youth scouting operations overseas.
They are in the process of adding scouts who will concentrate only on the junior scene. In fact, Wolves have also just sourced a scout for their French operation.
And they have also adopted one of the practices favoured by clubs such as City – having a tie-up with a local school where they can ensure their scholars receive the best education as a hook to bring them to the Black Country.
There is a long-standing arrangement at the Etihad that players are taught at St Bede’s College.
Wolves are following a similar path, relocating several young players and their families, particularly from London, and they are being taught at the city’s Royal Grammar School.
So far, more than half-a-dozen have made the switch in the past six months – and more are to follow.
A source said: “The thinking is that while the club is not yet at a level where it can compete with those teams in the Champions League – there is no reason why it can’t move forwards if money is spent developing their own. “The owners feel that any investment will be covered if just one player makes it in the coming years.
“And they are backing up their words with actions.”
The Chinese owners have been keen to stress that they are investing for the future.
And with transfer fees rocketing, the value of their investment will be seen if there is a steady stream of graduates reaching the first-team squad.