Luke Cundle is making a big impression at Wolverhampton Wanderers, with The Athletic claiming that the teenager has impressed Bruno Lage and members of the senior squad behind the scenes.
The signs were there, too.
As the former Benfica boss put his new charges through their paces during pre-season, 19-year-old Cundle was standing out a mile; his impressive vision, tactical intelligence and positional versatility making the Warrington-born starlet one of the biggest plus points of the summer months.
Yet, with Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho and Leander Dendoncker ahead of him in the pecking order, patience will have to be a virtue for Cundle as he looks to build on an impressive off-season and force his way into Lage’s first-team plans.
Then again, a series of eye-catching performances during the week will do his chances of an appearance on the week-end no harm at all.
Is Luke Cundle closing in on a Premier League debut?
According to The Athletic, Cundle is training regularly with Lage’s senior squad these days, leaving the manager and a number of the club’s more experienced players impressed along the way.
“Luke Cundle’s done very well,” said Wolves’ U23 coach James Collins earlier in the summer, also singling out Taylor Perry, Christian Marques and left-back Hugo Bueno.
“(The youngsters) certainly held their own in the games I’ve seen and I know (Lage) has been pleased with the contribution they’ve made, so that’s pleasing for us.”
Wolves are not exactly overloaded with options in central midfield.
After failing to seal deals for the likes of Renato Sanches, Joao Palhinha, Carles Alena and Samu Costa during the summer transfer window, do not rule out Cundle making his Premier League debut before the year is out.
The Athletic adds that 17-year-old Harry Birstwistle is also making an impression in the U23s, while Collins has been full of praise for commanding central defender Kam Kandola.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
