Wolves: Marques could be their new Coady | OneFootball

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Football FanCast

·14 April 2021

Wolves: Marques could be their new Coady

Article image:Wolves: Marques could be their new Coady

When Christian Marques signed for Wolves for a fraction under £600,000, he became the academy’s most expensive ever acquisition.

This was a player arriving in the Midlands who could quite easily now be plying his trade for one of the biggest clubs on the continent.


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A fee had been agreed between Grasshoppers and Benfica in January 2019 before that move fell through. Bayern Munich even enquired about Marques’ services before he penned terms with Wolves.

Evidently rated very highly, the humble teenager has been making waves at Wolves as he’s developed and come through the ranks.

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The centre-back was awarded the Academy Player of the Season for 2019/20 and it’s clear to see why. A modern-day sweeper, the 18-year-old has captained Switzerland at youth level and has already skippered both the U18s and U23s at Molineux.

He has never made a senior appearance for the club but it only feels like a matter of time before the youngster becomes an important part of Nuno Santo’s plans.

Article image:Wolves: Marques could be their new Coady

Marques was in Wolves’ squad for the Premier League Asia Trophy in 2019 while he has trained regularly with the senior side and even been included on the substitute’s bench in the top-flight on three occasions.

The Old Gold have become a club accustomed to developing young talent but very rarely have they found gems from a defensive point of view. In attack, they have plenty of young talent from Fabio Silva and Pedro Neto to Theo Corbeanu and Owen Hesketh.

Though, of every player in the U23s, the keenest of eyes need to be cast towards Marques. He is the real deal and could become the club’s next Conor Coady.

Like the England international, he is an example for his teammates and can carry the ball out of defence astutely. He is a confident passer and plays in a similar role.

Wolves knew he could eventually replace their club captain just four weeks after scouting him. Graham Clutton, their head of European academy recruitment, reported back in that time frame that the defender was a “no-brainer” for the Coady role.

He was first spotted by Harry Hooman – now Wolves’ head of UK academy recruitment – who described him as “outstanding.”

What sets him apart from the rest is his maturity. Speaking to The Athletic, Wolves’ elite player development coach, Darren Ryan, said: “It’s rare for a youngster coming from another country to show such leadership.

He continued: “That Coady role is so important in a 3-4-3 or a 3-5-2 but like Coady, he’s a leader, he’s driven and has a great mentality.”

Article image:Wolves: Marques could be their new Coady

Having trained with the senior side on a regular basis, Marques now knows what it takes to become a figurehead in defence.

Despite being just 18 years of age, he looks set for a bright future in the game. Those at Wolves rate him above every other player in the academy and Nuno checks frequently on his progress.

Marques epitomises what Wolves have become; a team who pick up talent at a young age and develop them into Premier League regulars.

The teenager, however, may just be the jewel in the crown of their efforts.

AND in other news, Forget Neto: Wolves should unleash rarely-seen 18 y/o who’s “got a bit of everything”…

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