One of the brightest young prospects at Wolves could remain with the first-team next season as opposed to going out on loan, according to journalist Liam Keen.
Wolves fans are expecting lots of changes this summer, and there could well be several outgoings at Molineux.
Pedro Neto is thought to be likely to leave, but Rayan Ait-Nouri may also have clubs coming in for him after his fine campaign.
The likes of Max Kilman and Joao Gomes have also been linked with exits.
But as well as permanent sales there could also be some loan exits. The feeling is that Nathan Fraser may well head out on his first loan spell, after unexpectedly providing cover in the first-team this season.
But one man who might not actually be going anywhere this summer is Fraser’s fellow academy graduate Leon Chiwome…
Leon Chiwome ‘may stick around next season’ with Wolves manager Gary O’Neil a big fan
Chiwome made his debut for Wolves earlier this calendar year, coming off the bench during the FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Coventry City.
He made a good impression that day despite the disappointing result, and was then rewarded with a start in the Premier League against Aston Villa. He then kept his place in the side against Fulham.
Chiwome recent suffered a season-ending ankle injury and so, he won’t get any more chances to impress O’Neil.
But the teenager did make an impression across his four appearances for Wolves and it sounds like he could be someone on O’Neil’s radar for next season.
Liam Keen spoke about him in a new video over on Shots TV, and has suggested the manager is a fan of his and that he is more likely to stick around than Fraser.
He said: “I remember speaking to some people down at the academy round about a year ago now. Leon Chiwome was really fancied as someone who was going to come through and do something. He’s one of those ones that they fancied would do well.
“It’s fair to say he’s still very raw, there’s still lots of things to learn. But he makes intelligent runs, he’s quick, he goes in behind, he’s a different kind of striker to Nathan Fraser. Hence why I think Gary O’Neil was so keen to try him out. There’s a player there, as an England youth international, that has got a high ceiling.
“I think it was the press conference when we found out about his injury. It was the way in which he (O’Neil) phrased it and said that he’ll be ready and raring to go in pre-season and take a good look at him.
“It doesn’t necessarily mean that he will stay at Wolves. But I think there’s a much higher chance of him staying around the club than Nathan Fraser.
“If they can keep him around, even as fourth choice, give him opportunities in the cups here and there, there’s definitely a lot to be said for having that experience around the first-team next season. Albeit they may choose to send him out on loan, I think Gary O’Neil’s thoughts towards the player and him being a year younger than Fraser means he may stick around next season.”
Chiwome clearly highly rated
It’s interesting to hear that Chiwome has a chance to stick around for next season – he has clearly impressed while being involved with the first-team this season.
It was tough for Chiwome and also Fraser when they were given chances in the absence of injured stars.
But Chiwome probably did show a little bit more than Fraser has, even though Fraser has chipped in with a couple of goals.
It’ll be very interesting to see if he ends up sticking around. You would imagine he will benefit from being around the squad and if he doesn’t get many opportunities, then a loan move the following season could be in the offing.