Scouting Report – How is Michael Mancienne progressing at Wolves?

The highly rated defender Michael Mancienne is currently in his second spell on loan at Wolves. The player, who had actually signed a new four year contract with his club Chelsea, is currently trying to help keep the men from Molineux in the top flight after experiencing a successful time in his first spell there, in 2008.

With playing opportunities hard to come by at Stamford Bridge, Mancienne has been on loan at Wolves since the beginning of this season- for the whole season. It must be pleasing for Mancienne that the contract he signed at Chelsea means the club sees him as a vital part of their future plans, and also for the fact that he is experiencing all the qualities needed to become a complete player by being tested in a relegation battle. He has been displaying his composed and elegant style of defending for Mick McCarthy’s men when he has got the chance to play.

His appearances have been few and far between. One thing that has made him a useful weapon, which has been recognised by McCarthy, is that he has the versatility to play in the holding midfield role. One of his best games for Wolves this season was against Liverpool, at Molineux, where he kept Steven Gerrard quiet in a game which ended in a goalless draw. He is aware that his time at Wolves is helping him mature as a player, but ruled out a permanent move. He said: “I don’t think so. I am definitely going back to Chelsea. I want to try and fight for my place.” However, another season on loan is something that he seems willing to do. He stated: “If that is what I’ve got to do, I’ll do it. I’ll do anything to play football.” He has to hope to be playing regularly so that he can go back to Chelsea and try to cement his place there.

It seems that his talents in playing a midfield role are something that he is keen to build on as well. He explained: “I’m growing to like the position of central midfield. I’ve come on for Chelsea a couple of times there and started against Manchester City for Wolves. It was the same game plan against Steven Gerrard I’d play against anyone. I was pleased with how it went against him – but I only did it with the help of the boys around me. But I do enjoy that role of trying to shackle someone, trying to nick the ball in front of people, and getting right up close to someone.

Mancienne is clearly making a good impression on McCarthy and his versatility has not gone unnoticed. McCarthy said: “Michael is a really good footballer. He has been unfortunate that when he was out injured, Jody Craddock came in and has been outstanding at centre-half. I think down the middle is his best position, whether it is centre half or sitting in midfield. He can play full-back and does a decent job, but he is a centre-half and can also do that midfield holding role exceptionally well. I knew he was versatile. He is a good footballer and is quick as well so he covers the ground and can do a number of jobs. He is comfortable in different roles.”

For Chelsea fans that have high hopes for Mancienne in a blue shirt they will be interested to know that McCarthy, just like Mancienne himself, insists he has “never discussed” the possibility of the loan move becoming permanent.

Mancienne has already caught the eye of Fabio Capello and his appearance in the England squad, back in November 2008, was an encouraging sign for him. Now that he has shown versatility during his time at Molineux he can take his game to another level, so that by the time he returns to Chelsea he can claim that the learning experience at Wolves was an invaluable one. Performing well in a relegation battle can only stand him in good stead for a bright Chelsea and England future.

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