After experiencing two seasons being disrupted by injuries, Leon Chiwome is delighted to be back out on the pitch with the Wolves first-team in the pre-season victory over Maidenhead United.
The 20-year-old burst onto the senior scene during the 2024/25 season, but injury setbacks over the last few campaigns have seen the striker forced to watch the team from the sidelines as he underwent recovery.
But now he’s fit and firing once more under Cesar Peixoto and featured from the start of the 1-0 win at York Road on Wednesday night, in a first-half which saw several opportunities fall his way. Although he was unable to convert, Chiwome is pleased to be getting an opportunity to prove his worth to the new head coach.
On getting minutes in the legs
“It was good. I’m just trying to take it day-by-day, just get the fitness back. Everyone’s doing that, but especially for me after quite a few injuries over the last couple of years, so I’m just trying to take it day-by-day and just improve myself.
“It’s so much better to be out there playing. When you’re stuck in the gym every day and all you an do is just watch everyone train and play games, you get a bit down, but just being in a normal routine of training and playing, it’s such a good feeling.”
On coming close to scoring
“I had a couple of close ones, and a couple of chances, and maybe on another day, I take all three or four of those chances.
“But it’s just one of those days where I need to look at the positives, which are that I’m getting in those areas, and the chances are coming, but I’ve just got to go back to the training ground, keep practising, and see what we can do next game.”
Mane making the difference 💫 pic.twitter.com/prhgdWwNLS
— Wolves (@Wolves) July 23, 2026
On overcoming two years of injuries
“I’ve been really hungry to get back playing again. Two years ago was probably the best time of my life, playing in the Premier League and everything that came with that, so I just want to get back to that level as soon as possible.
“I know I can achieve it and but I know I’ve just got to take it one step at a time, get the fitness back, and everything else will come back with it.
“It’s really important to get a full pre-season in. I think for everybody here, to have a good pre-season and start at the same time has been really good because as soon as you get one injury and you you’re behind everyone, then you’re always trying to pick up from where you left off and try and gain on everyone else, but this summer I feel as fit as everyone, so it’s been good.”
On being given a chance by Peixoto
“When you get relegated and you get a new gaffer in, he’s got to look at all options, and I think he’s really given us a chance.
“He’s taken us in, treating us like we’re any other player, and giving us the same opportunity, then it’s just down to us to take it.”
On learning from senior players
“It was good to start on Wednesday night alongside a lot of senior players, but the senior players have been helping every day in training, especially with like the likes Trippier coming in.
“The advice he gives you and just giving enthusiasm to the group, it really makes you improve your game and be more enthusiastic.
“It’s definitely exciting to have Raul [Jimenez] coming back and working with him. He’s got bags of experience, he’s been in and around the Prem for so long, and we all saw, he’s been playing World Cup football and performing really well, so it’ll be amazing to just pick little things off him, take his advice in and try to learn as much as I can.”
On preparing for the start of the season
“We’ve got a couple games on Saturday and a couple of games next week, so we’re playing twice a week at the moment and it’s just preparing ourselves for the Champ.
“It’s obviously a tough, tough league and there are a lot of games with a quick turnover, so it’s good for us to play all these games to help get our bodies up to speed, get our minds up to speed, and everything else will come with it.”
