Wolves end chase for starlet

Wednesday 18th July 2007, 2:01PM BST.

wd2033841qpr-albion-31-dh.jpgWolves have ended their interest in Chelsea starlet Michael Mancienne – because they couldn’t guarantee him first team football.

Mick McCarthy has been tracking the 18-year-old since the end of the season and approached Chelsea after the defender was left out of the Blues party that travelled to America a fortnight ago – but couldn’t strike a deal.

Wolves were in the driving seat in the race to sign Mancienne, who Chelsea are keen to loan out for another year as part of their desire to ‘toughen up’ the teenager.

But Jose Mourinho was only willing to let the pacey defender leave for guaranteed first team football – something that McCarthy could not promise.

Chelsea were also seeking reassurances that Mancienee would be used solely as a centre-back but with Darren Ward, Neill Collins, Gary Breen and Jody Craddock in the squad Wolves were not keen to make that promise.

It is understood that the defender will now return to QPR, where he spent most of last season on loan.

McCarthy is still keen to add a full-back to his Molineux squad before the season starts, with Arsenal full-back Armand Traore one of a number of targets he is weighing up a move for. 

The Wolves boss had been keen to bring in the 17-year-old in time to take him to Dublin but faces serious competition in the race to snap up the youngster. 

The Gunners defender was a prominent player in Arsenal’s Carling Cup run last season, and scored in the final.

Meanwhile, the Wolves boss, who has just tied up his fourth deal of the close season, insists that his summer spending is not yet finished.

“We’ll see what happens in the transfer market. We’re still having a look around,” he said.

“I wouldn’t go as far as to say we’re finished with things yet.”


  1. 1
    tom

    traore is 10 times the player than mancienne i’ve seen him play on more than 1 occasion and he is brilliant a few years time and he will be 1 of arsenals little gems com on wolves

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  2. 2
    Beobridge Wolf

    I can fully understand Chelsea’s stance on this matter and fair play to Super Mick for being his usual honest and upfront self.

    Super Mick will obviously be a little disappointed but it is obvious he has other irons in the fire.

    Bring on the next chapter in the continuing development of the Wolves!!

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  3. 3
    wolves faithful

    this must mean MM has faith in our current squad! so fair play to super mick and jez for not puting players onto our wage bill who might not play!

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  4. 4
    Gaz

    Before the moaners get on here talking rubbish, This is the type of player the crowd seems to wnat but for MM to say that he can’t say for sure that the lad would start shows that MM rates one or two other players higer than this guy. I can see him blooding our own promosing youngster Collins instead of someone elses

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  5. 5
    we8wba

    i would love to see troare here, he is what we NEED to solve left back position!

    if the rumour isnt true what ever happen to wolves going to use loan system, do a birmingham, loan of best prem sides blah blah

    only one iv seen is sinclair n mancienne, with mancienne only one with some proof that we are intrested in!

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  6. 6
    Phil

    Well done Mick. It’s not for Jose to dictate where and how often a player plays for WOLVES.

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  7. 7
    Simon Lewis

    Would love to see troare down the Mol in the left back slot, If mick says we hav’nt finished yet in the transfer market,does this mean were still after ridgewell as well ????

    Super Merlin UP THE WOLVES !!!

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  8. 8
    nightflyer69

    Well said Phil, nobody should ever be guaranteed a place, they all have to fight for it and play where they are asked to.

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  9. 9
    Keith (bloxwich)

    whens me season ticket gonna arrive? :)

    Nice one MM I like whats being said.

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  10. 10
    Bridget & Tony

    we8wba we like all Wolves fans are just as anxious to see the squad (defence) get more strength in depth – there are deals ala Jarvis that we knew nothing about Keep the faith!!!

    MM is right to not guarantee a first team place to ANY player otherwise how can he justify a “earn your shirt” policy?

    UP THE WOLVES!!!

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  11. 11
    Richard

    No-one should be guaranteed a place, thats where complacency comes in.

    Well done MM.

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  12. 12
    chris

    the only player who is guaranteed a first team place is Matt Murray.

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  13. 13
    Ron Davies

    How can he be guaranteed a centre halfposition which is well covered when he is wanted to play at left back?

    No way Hosea, the special one:-)

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  14. 14
    SUPERSTARDJWOLVES

    Ok Interesting this story as we needed a pacy defender but we couldnt guarantee him 1st team football putting breen in front of him,.,,,”interesting”

    But Traore would be a wonderful snip, lets get in before charlton do!

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  15. 15
    COLLEY GATE WOLF

    I Would prefer to buy a couple of young defenders that way if and when we do achieve anything we wont have to give them back

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  16. 16
    welshwolf

    Leave him sweat down in the “smoke”
    nobody in their right mind will guarantee him a starting place – tthat kills competition

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  17. 17
    Merlin the magician fan club

    No great loss.But how about we go back to chelsea for Lampard and John Terry,I reckon we could just about guarantee them first team football.

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  18. 18
    Eddy

    To keith in blox – i was just in the ticket office today asking the same question and not to worry they weill be sent out within the next two weeks apparently. We will all be there for the new season.

    As for a left back all i can say is any one but Clapham!

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  19. 19
    Kevin Spilsbury/london wolf

    I’ve never seen him play so only know of his reputation.

    All credit to MM for sticking to his guns, if he’d guaranteed him 1st team it would’ve affected team spirit which is what made us so strong last year. Mick’s keeping a solid happy ship.

    Bring on the new season!!!!!!

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  20. 20
    wolf

    Why bring other clubs kids in to get experience at our expense, we should blood our own?

    Home grow talent plays for the shirt, I can’t see him risking injury at our expense!

    And he’ll cost!

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