Wayne Hennessey’s best is still to come, says Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Mick McCarthy
Hennessey, who lost his starting spot to Marcus Hahnemann during the course of last season, this week signed a new five-year deal at the club.
And the 23-year-old shot-stopper is now set to challenge Hahnemann and Carl Ikeme for the goalkeeping spot at Molineux next season.
Carthy believes that the Wolves faithful can expect to see Hennessey get better in the coming years.
“Wayne’s best won’t even come in this next five years,” McCarthy told the club’s official website.
“Look at the best goalkeepers in the Premier League – Manchester United, Villa, Portsmouth, Fulham, Chelsea – they’re all a lot older.
“With a lot of people judgement gets better as you get older and that’s the same for goalkeepers as well.
“And players also become more influential in the dressing room as they get older.
“They always say that goalkeepers are nuts but I’ve met a few who are quiet and reserved – as well as the nutty ones! It just depends on the characters that they are.
“Obviously as you get older you do get more experienced obviously and a bit more comfortable in yourself and you carry yourself better.
“It’s natural, all players do. All our players who played in the Premier League last season will feel better about themselves.”
However, McCarthy is backing Hennessey to stake a claim for the number one jersey at Wolves this season.
“Wayne is one our of our talented players who we want to keep and he’s come through the Academy,” he added.
“He started the season last season and then the team evolved and he lost his slot.
“We’d brought Marcus in for the very reason that we might need some experience and Wayne is still only very young and has got a bright future here.
“We’ve huge faith and belief in him and that’s why he’s got a five year deal.He’s still very young and did very well in the Championship when there was a lot asked of him.
“Like everyone else he’d got no experience of the Premier League and it got tough for everyone at one stage and so I made changes but he’s still a very good goalkeeper.
“And we’ve demonstrated our belief in that, by the contract we’ve given him.”
reports goal.com
