Theo Walcott applauds young Wesley Okoduwa's Premier League squad inclusion

At just 15 years old, Okoduwa, an England U16 talent and son of former Super Eagles striker Emmanuel Okoduwa, stood on the cusp of becoming Wolves' youngest Premier League player if given the chance to play.

Manager Gary O'Neil, grappling with an injury-depleted roster, made a bold move by including five teenagers in the matchday squad, including Okoduwa and Temple Ojinnaka, both of whom are eligible to represent Nigeria.

Reflecting on Okoduwa's presence on the bench against Arsenal, Walcott, who himself made waves at a young age, shared his excitement on Sky Sports, saying, "Wolves, of course, are in a very good position. They can still aim for eighth. 

"I think Gary O'Neil has done a fantastic job, but I'm particularly intrigued by this 15-year-old (Okoduwa) today. It's going to be very interesting."

Drawing from his own experience breaking into professional football, Walcott noted the fearlessness and joy that young talents like Okoduwa bring to the game.

However, Wolves face stiff competition in retaining Okoduwa, whose schoolboy registration is set to expire on June 30, 2024. Clubs like Manchester United are closely monitoring the situation, eyeing the potential addition of the Anglo-Nigerian defender for the upcoming season.

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