‘He’s done excellent’: Wolves coach raves about 17-year-old starring for U23s

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Teenager Kam Kandola is making a big impact for Wolverhampton Wanderers’ U23 side this season, coach James Collins told the club’s official website. 

The 17-year-old centre-back had never even made an appearance for Wolves’ second-string before this season.

But, stepping up to the plate during a 1-0 Premier League Cup victory over West Ham United recently, Kandola is proving that he is more than ready to make his mark at a higher level.

With Nigel Lonwijk spending the season on loan at Eredivisie outfit Fortuna Sittard and with U23 captain Christian Marques now training regularly with Bruno Lage’s first-team, a window of opportunity appears to have swung upon for Kandola.

And it is a chance he is determined to seize with both hands.  

Is Kam Kandola the next exciting youngster to emerge at Molineux?

“The good thing about players going out is a young player gets an opportunity to show us what he can do,” said Collins. 

“Kam (Kandola) is a super kid but, last week, was I sure he was going to do as well as he has done? Probably not.

“He’s done excellent, he’s kept two clean sheets, he’s been good on the ball, he’s been relaxed, he’s not made many mistakes – the boys surprise you.

“Now it’s exciting to see who steps into Nigel’s place, who steps into Christian’s place… that’s the life of an U23 coach.”

Yerson Mosquera, the £4.5 million summer signing from Colombia and a one-time target for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, also played 30 minutes against West Ham as he steps up his return from a niggling injury.

An aggressive, front-foot defender blessed with searing pace and plenty of quality with the ball at his feet, 20-year-old Mosquera looks every inch a modern-day centre-half perfectly suited for Lage’s preferred tactical approach.

Furthermore, the failure to bring in a more senior defensive option – links with James Tarkowski and Ruben Semedo coming to nothing – means Mosquera could become a Premier League regular quicker than anyone might have imagined.