Wolves wonderkid must follow Morgan Gibbs-White blueprint to break into first-team

Nathan Fraser, the star of the academy, may be encouraged by Wolves to go on loan the next season in an attempt to get him closer to making a major breakthrough into Gary O’Neil’s squad.

Nathan Fraser, a recent academy product, made his Premier League debut in full on Saturday at Molineux against Fulham.

Gary O’Neil chose the 19-year-old to be the line leader because of the Old Gold’s current injury problems in the attacking zones.

Fraser was given the opportunity to shine against the Londoners because Hwang Hee-chan and Matheus Cunha were not available. Fraser put on an amazing effort in what was a challenging encounter for the hosts.

The Wolverhampton native has played seven senior games for his childhood team so far in his career, tallying two goals, both of which have come from this campaign in cup tournaments under O’Neil.

With one strategy that has worked for Wolves before possessing the keys to unleash his full potential, the adolescent appears to have flown the nest from the academy, but he is still not at the top of the first team hierarchy.

Next season, Nathan Fraser ought to emulate Morgan Gibbs and White’s model.
Over the years, Wolves have had success and failure with loan spells; one academy talent has thrived when sent to acquire experience elsewhere.

Morgan Gibbs-White played 11 Premier League games for the Old Gold in 2020–21, which set him up for a season-long loan to Sheffield United in the Championship the following year.

In 37 games for the Blades during the 2021–2022 second division season, the Englishman contributed 22 goals, sparking not only his career but also the profit he could give Wolves.

The Midlands club made a profit of £42.5 million in 2022 when they sold the academy graduate to Nottingham Forest, demonstrating the mutually beneficial nature of the loan period.

Now a regular in the Premier League, Gibbs-White’s career at Molineux may serve as an example for O’Neil to send Fraser on a comparable road, with minutes away from the team perhaps having the ability to similarly unlock Fraser’s potential.

There are indications that Nathan Fraser might succeed at Wolves.
Fraser is about to lock down a spot in Wolves’ first team, much like Gibbs-White did, as his playing time rises under O’Neil.

The Irishman’s position in the starting lineup is currently uncertain due to the unfortunate injuries he has sustained.

The adolescent player might increase his chances for a successful career and a future at Wolves by taking a loan.

The 19-year-old has not yet earned consistent playing time at the senior level, but if O’Neil determines that a loan for the 2024–2025 campaign would be a suitable path for the attacker, he could receive it.

praised as “outstanding” by the manager earlier this season, it’s evident that the manager has a great regard for the young player and doesn’t seem to be afraid of the player going out on loan, unlike some of the players who have gone out on loan before him.

It remains to be seen if Fraser will stay at Molineux for the upcoming campaign; a loan stint might help the forward develop into a more seasoned senior player.