Max Kilman has enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence at Wolverhampton Wanderers. He waited in the wings for opportunities last season but is now a regular in the starting lineup, garnering praise from pundits, teammates and his manager for impressive performances.
The 23-year-old has started in Wolves’ last two Premier League games, helping to shut out the opposition in our 1-0 win over Fulham (October 4) and 1-0 win over Leeds United (October 19). Kilman was even named Man of the Match for his performance against Leeds.
It’s easy to forget the centre-back was only playing Non-League football in 2018….
From Non-League to the Premier League
Wolves signed Kilman as a young left-back from Maidenhead United in August 2018, making him the first player since Chris Smalling to go directly from Non-League to the Premier League without a loan in between.
Kilman made 21 appearances for our U23s and was promoted to the senior squad as a centre-back when Nuno Espirito Santo felt he had improved enough. The 23-year-old has since made 14 appearances in all competitions for the first-team and looks to have a bright future.
Kilman’s in his third season at Wolves and finally looks at home in the Premier League. He has the admiration of his manager and teammates and has proven to be a bargain acquisition. Questions were being asked about his long-term future not long ago, but Wolves were never in doubt.
What has been said about Kilman?
Nuno Espirito Santo recently hailed Kilman’s progress ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Newcastle United, telling Wolves’ official website: “He’s doing well. He’s performed well, he’s working very hard and (is) very committed, so I’m very pleased. The challenge is to sustain and grow from where he is.”
Conor Coady has been full of praise for the 23-year-old too, telling our official website: “Max has been with us for years, he trains with us every single day. He’s a fantastic lad and a brilliant professional as well.”
The positive comments from our manager and captain highlight how hard Kilman’s worked and how much he’s improved. Now he’s reaping the rewards.
Ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Newcastle United, the 23-year-old should keep his place at centre-back alongside Willy Boly and Connor Coady. Romain Saiss could start as a makeshift left-back again.
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