Wolves’ Austin Samuels celebrated a friendly goal like he’d scored in a cup final and is highly fancied at Molineux
The youngster is causing a stir akin to Robbie Keane, and has already become a cult figure among the Molineux faithful
IF first impressions last – then Austin Samuels should enjoy a long and successful career at Molineux.
Not since Robbie Keane burst on the scene as a 17-year-old has a baby-faced assassin created such a stir at Wolves.
Samuels was even younger than Keane, aged just 16, when he bounded off the bench for the last half hour of a boring yet brutal pre-season ‘friendly,’ against Peterborough two summers ago ….. and within eight minutes had conjured up a stunning winner.
The joyous celebration which followed from the fleet-footed kid won’t be forgotten by any Wolves fan present.
Wolves’ Republic of Ireland international Matt Doherty recalled: “The best part was his celebration – you could see how much it meant to him.
“Normally in pre-season you might just score and walk back but he might have even kissed the badge. We celebrated it as well because you could see the passion he had for it.”
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“It still gives me goosebumps – it was a blessing,” confessed Samuels, who was spotted by a local scout playing for nearby Newbridge Rangers as a seven-year-old, and started scoring goals for Wolves Under-8’s soon afterwards.
“It took me a few days to take it all in after the Peterborough goal. But mum and all my family soon brought me down to earth.
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“Now the hunger is there for me to score a goal for the first team in the Premier League now. It’s what you dream of as a kid when you watch football on TV.
“I’ve seen what Molineux is like on the day of a Premier League match. It would be such a good feeling to score there.”
Samuels didn’t just score the winner against Posh, he also netted hundreds of new followers on social media after the game and became an instant cult-figure with Wolves fans.
The comments section of the Wolverhampton local paper The Express and Star, was inundated with messages from fans, who all agreed a star had just been born.
The division came between those who wanted the youngster to develop his game patiently in the youth ranks…. and a hard-core who demanded Nuno Espirito Santo hand Samuels the lead striker’s role immediately to lead the line in the Championship.
“Unleash the Austin,” demanded one frustrated fan.
It was an interesting debate, especially as Wolves had a new Portuguese striker called Diogo Jota on the bench that day.
Samuels has gone on to star for England’s Under 16 and 17 youth teams and is patiently mastering his art away from the do-or-die demands of the Premier League, honing his skills in Rob Edwards’ Under-23s.
Scott Sellars, Head of Wolves’ Player Development, believes Samuels next goal must be to emulate his close pal Morgan Gibbs-White and progress into Nuno’s first team.
“When I arrived at Molineux four and a half years ago, Austin was a boy who immediately stood out," said Sellars.
“He lives to score goals. He has a knack of knowing when the ball is coming into the box and can finish.
"He likes to use his speed to get in behind defenders and we’ve worked a lot on tidying up his link-up play.
“Off the pitch he is a quiet lad, very focused. He’s never a problem, likes to ask questions and has a very good relationship with Darius Vassell who works with our strikers.
"Austin’s a keen learner who wants to improve so he has a great attitude.
“He’s been here 10 years now and has just signed a new two-and-a-half year deal.
"His family have followed him about since he arrived as an eight-year-old and I see his mum at most games.
“Austin had a taste of first team football in one or two pre-season games last year.
"Now Benny Ashley-Seal has gone to Portugal on loan, Austin needs to cement his place in the Under-23s.
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“Next year will be his first season as a senior pro and that will be a big year for him.
"He’s scored for England's Under 16 and 17s, he’s scored at Under-18, Under-23 and senior level for us – whatever level he plays he scores.
“He might get some loan experience because playing some senior football will be part of the plan but it will depend on how he does at Under-23 level.
“Morgan Gibbs-White is a good example of somebody who has gone straight into the first team without going anywhere on loan, so they are all different.
“Austin is a year younger than Morgan so he’s got plenty of time to progress and has the potential to become a very good footballer, hopefully with Wolves.”
Samuels said: “I used to play with Morgan when I was 14 and 15 so it’s good to see him doing so well.
"All of us younger lads look up to him. He has shown us a pathway exists for us too."