Interview: Wolves academy boss on Fosun, expansion – and more debuts

In the past year they've been rated as the third best academy in the land, enjoyed good campaigns in the under-23 league (finishing second) and Checktrade Trophy (last 16) and, most importantly, seen four youngsters handed their first-team debuts.

The huge investment by former owner Steve Morgan is starting to pay off and there are more top young talents threatening to burst onto the first team picture next season.

Academy boss Gareth Prosser, though, is always striving for improvement. And under the hands-on approach of Fosun, he's optimistic that Wolves' highly regarded Compton Park operation will go from strength to strength.

Fosun's keen interest in producing academy talent began just hours after they'd officially bought the club from Steve Morgan, Prosser revealed.

During an in-depth interview he told the Express & Star: "Fosun announced the takeover on Thursday and on Friday I’m sat in front of Jeff Shi who wants to know all about the academy and the players.

"That’s continued all throughout the season.

"They’ve shown a real interest, Jeff and Sky (Sun) predominantly. I think they’ve seen every academy group from under-9s to under-23s.

"They’re just really supportive and want to know how can we be better and how can we improve.

"This season has been about getting to know us and the system and the rules and regs. Now we’re starting to have discussions about how we can grow and improve.

"We can always improve. We're still not up there with some of the big clubs with regards to staff numbers.

"And you’re always looking from a recruitment point of view – for even more depth. Maybe improve the psychology side of it, or nutrition, we just want to make sure we look at every detail we can to make sure the boy and the footballer is developed. We’ve got that responsibility."

Wolves have of course focused their academy recruitment in the Midlands and across England in recent years.

While that won't change, with Fosun's tentacles and contacts now able to expand Wolves' reach across the globe, there's the possibility of more European competition – and a wider spectrum when it comes to finding the game's top young talent.

"We could possibly have more friendlies against European teams," Prosser added. "The Premier League provides a really good games programme. Some would argue it’s not enough games so we’d like to supplement that with some European competition because it provides the boys with a different experience and a bit more pressure.

"Potentially recruitment could be widened out. Our focus will never change – first and foremost it’s local and homegrown players.

"But if we need to we will go further afield to supplement the quality we have.

"One of the things we’ll be looking to push next season is a bigger infracstructure for our recruitment team to allow us to compete even more with the bigger boys.

"It’s a challenge. Fosun have set us some very clear targets. We’ve had four debuts this year so already they’re asking who’s next. We have to make sure we continually have an answer for them.

"The signs are good."

Whatever improvements are made and whoever the owners are the remit for Prosser of producing academy talent good enough for first-team level never changes.

"So who's next?" Prosser said.

"I feel there are three or four. And there'll always be one or two who come back into pre-season and have grown and surprise us.

"We've been delighted with the past 12 months. The staff are confident there are players within the system that will make the grade."

Prosser on...being the third-best academy in the country

"It was roughly 12 months ago we found out we’d retained our Category 1 status, we’re one of only six clubs to do so and the only Championship club.

"That’s a reflection of us as a whole and we’re perceived to be the third best in the country behind Chelsea and Manchester City.

"We’re proud of that. It’s like an Ofsted inspection – two independent auditors come in and spend five days with us, observing practice, interviewing staff and parents and players, board members, the whole lot.

"They look at the club philosophy, the player philosophy, the vision, recruitment, training, feedback...everything.

"Following that inspection you’re given a rating and only six clubs got a three-year licence and we’re one of them.

Prosser on...Morgan Gibbs-White

"He’s with us since eight years of age and the way he’s applied himself is great. That’s why we work so hard.

"I was at Stoke that day (for Gibbs-White's debut in the FA Cup). It was a terrific day for the first team and terrific faith by Paul (Lambert) to put him on with 30 minutes to go at 1-0 up.

"I’m delighted for him. It takes a lot of people, from when he joined age eight, the likes of Bob Bennett and Marc Campbell, to all the staff who’ve supported him, and then Scott (Sellars), Seyi (Olofinjana), Pat (Mountain), Aled (Williams) and Darren (Ryan) and then Paul (Lambert), Stuart (Taylor) and Rob (Edwards) to have the faith in him and put him in during an important game.

"It’s been a club effort with Morgan and also Harry who’s been with us since aged 10.

"It’s slightly different with Connor (Ronan) and Donovan (Wilson) who joined us later in the system but again credit goes to them for their attitude and application each day.

"This is the point we made to our under-18s before they left and also our under-16s...Morgan played in the end of season event for the academy at Molineux...a year later he’s made eight appearances for the first team.

"Morgan’s earned it through his hard work. He’s got a terrific temperament so he can handle the big occasion, which is important."

Prosser on...Different academy approaches from Walter Zenga and Paul Lambert

"With Walter, it was difficult for him to some extent. My opinion was he came into the club very late, just before the start of the season with a number of new signings and a lot of expectation, so he mainly had to focus on that first team squad.

"As it turned out just before he left they were starting to realise some of the quality within the groups and one or two boys were starting to get the integration.

"Paul's just taken that on, really. He came in and saw the quality of the lads we've got with Connor, Morgan, Bright, Harry and hasn't been afraid to give them the chance.

"It's a shame with Connor and also Morgan that without injuries they may have played a handful more appearances to set them up to next season."

Prosser on...the under-23s

"I'm delighted for the staff.

"The addition of the Checkatrade was a real plus for us. They changed the format of the Premier League Cup as well that provided more games and the play-off system has been in place for a few seasons.

"It just provides the players with that spike, with more pressure situations.

"To finish second over the course of the season, it's great. The most important thing is players have gone from the under-23s to the first team.

"The 18s this season, their league placing hasn't been the best but players have played in the 23s and Morgan, for example, has jumped the 23s into the first team.

"That's ultimately what we'll be judged on. I'd love to win games and trophies, but ultimately we want players progressing to Molineux."