Max Kilman’s feet on the ground at Wolves
Max Kilman could cap a whirlwind two weeks by making his first Premier League start at Arsenal today, but the Wolves defender is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.
The left-sided centre-half has had to bide his time for first team opportunities since arriving from National League side Maidenhead in the summer of 2018.
But after helping Wolves under-23s gain promotion from Division Two of Premier League Two in the 2018-19 season he is now on Nuno Espirito Santo’s radar.
The 22-year-old former England futsal star made his top flight debut off the bench in Wolves’ 1-0 final day win over his former club Fulham.
It was an apt opponent given that after his release by the Cottagers and then current League One side Gillingham, an 18-year-old Kilman thought his Premier League dreams were dead and buried.
But now after starting the Europa League victory at Brastislava and 2-1 Carabao Cup defeat at Villa, the Kensington-born defender is in contention to start at the Emirates.
And his London-based parents, Maria and Alex, will be watching on in the crowd, hoping their son makes that first league start.
He said: “It (the Fulham game) was a fantastic moment because from a young age, or even at 18, 19 I did not think I’d be playing in the Premier League
“I thought there was no chance of that and it was fantastic.
“I never thought I’d be playing in the Europa League, either, so it was unbelievable. But you just have to take the moment, take your chance and put in all the effort you can to do your best.
“Of course, making a Premier League start would be unbelievable. But I’m just taking it day-by-day. When it (the start) does come I will be happy.
“But for now I just need to keep working hard. There are still a lot of ways in which I need to improve and keep growing.”
Injuries to centre-halves Will Boly and Ryan Bennett have enhanced Kilman’s chances of making that Premier League start.
Due to those blows, Nuno alternated wing-back Matt Doherty and midfielder Leander Dendoncker into the back line alongside skipper Conor Coady and Romain Saiss for the 1-1 draw at Newcastle on Sunday. Given that injury to Boly in training on Saturday, it was a surprise to see Kilman moved to the bench for the trip to St James’ Park.
But after returning to the starting XI at Villa and an injury relapse by Bennett, Kilman is in pole position. Though he says his mindset is still the same.
He said: “Before the injuries I knew my position in the squad. I knew if there was an injury or someone was not fit I knew I could have a chance. That is still how I see it, nothing has really changed.”
Kilman thanked Wolves fans for their support after his recent appearances. He said: “It means a lot, the fans are massive.You could see that on Wednesday, there was more than 5,000 of them at an away game. I just want to do my best for them and the club.”
