Wolverhampton Wanderers have not seen too many players rise through the youth ranks and forge their way into prominence on the Premier League scene over recent years, but could soon unleash their next prodigy in Chem Campbell, who is displaying promising signs as he continues his development.
Morgan Gibbs-White is the notable exception, with the attacking midfielder having recently departed Molineux to join the expansive ranks at newly-promoted Nottingham Forest in a deal worth £42.5m.
And Campbell, who has recently joined League One outfit Wycombe Wanderers on a six-month loan spell to continue his rise, could soon find a place in manager Julen Lopetegui’s first-team plans after continuing to make incremental gains to his game, with the move away considered a sterling opportunity to clinch some valuable match experience in preparation for a more regular role with the Old Gold next term.
Lopetegui has initiated a host of new signings under his reign in the recently concluded January transfer window, and with £27.5m summer signing Goncalo Guedes recently being granted a loan departure to former homeland outfit SL Benfica, it is clear that the arrival of a new wide presence to cement their position would be greatly appreciated by the Spaniard manager.
And in Campbell, who has been hailed a “class above” by The Athletic’s Tim Spiers previously, a dynamic and pacy winger, the 20-year-old scored 13 goals and laid ten assists from 59 matches for Wolves’ U21 squad, and should he succeed with his spell at Wycombe, might indeed soon find a regular place in Lopetegui’s match squad.
Wolves Football Manager researcher Dave Azzopardi, speaking to The Football Wonderkids, waxed lyrical about the calibre of young starlet currently on the club’s books, and expects big things to come in the near future.
He said: “He’s got a lot of potential. Very quick player, very direct, very skilful, and knows where the back of the net is. So like I said I think next year will be a big year for Chem.”
Second only behind Old Gold legend Jimmy Mullen as the youngest player to feature for the club’s first-team, Campbell evidently possesses an abundance of potential just requiring channelling, with former boss Bruno Lage remarking he could be a “solution” for the club when he reaches the point in his development that will allow him to flourish in the Premier League.
Having earned early plaudits for his instant impact with Wycombe, Campbell needs only to ensure he continues the good work already paved to earn shots at the Wolves first-team with greater regularity in the future, and he could indeed play a role under Lopetegui’s wing as the new era in Wolverhampton takes shape.