Wolves are still waiting to learn what Nelson Semedo wants his future to look like ahead of 2025/26.
The 2024/25 calendar only just closed, but the decision-making has just begun for Semedo, who said goodbye to Molineux on the final day of the season.
While Vitor Pereira’s captain appeared to be emotional after Wolves’ draw against Brentford, it’s understood that Semedo has yet to decide on his future.
Benfica want to sign Semedo but there’s an offer of an extension on the table for the right-back, who is soon to become a free agent.
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
Wolves urged not to make Joao Gomes captain
Pereira wants Semedo to stay at Wolves and continue his duty as club captain, but things aren’t in the Old Gold’s hands.
Naturally, those at Compton Park must prepare for life without the Portugal international, who has until June 30th to make up his mind.
A squad without Semedo doesn’t only mean Wolves need to find a positional replacement, but a new captain too.
One popular pick is Joao Gomes, who was just named Supporters’ Player of the Season; however, one figure believes this would be the wrong decision.
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Speaking on the E&S Wolves Podcast, journalist Nathan Judah explained why, despite Gomes’ excellence, the Brazilian should not be a candidate to take the armband.
“In terms of Joao Gomes, player of the season, but just an all-around excellent display, I thought he was superb. I thought his work rate was absolutely magnificent throughout the game.
“He’s one of those players who I don’t want to see as captain, I don’t see him as captain material. I just think he needs to carry on doing what he wants to do.”
Some will disagree with Judah’s claims to a degree, as Gomes is considered a leader in the Wolves squad, but for an alternate reason, the Express and Star reporter might be right.
Long-term captain solution needed at Wolves
As much as Gomes is capable of rousing those around him to impact games, the 24-year-old is still very much perfecting his craft.
Arriving in England only two and a half years ago from Flamengo, the £15m Brazilian has done a lot of growing up at Wolves, which must be allowed to continue without the restraints and demands of wearing the armband full-time.
Being a player who thrives with freedom, Judah’s reservations regarding Gomes’ claim to captaincy ring true, and Wolves fans might just agree.
Moving away from Gomes’ leadership qualities and quality comes a problem that Wolves need to solve long-term, which is having a captain for the duration of Pereira’s project.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Ruben Neves took the armband from Conor Coady, then Neves himself departed, his successor, Max Kilman, then left, passing captaincy to Mario Lemina.
Midway through his first season as captain, Lemina was stripped of the duty and then left the club, with Semedo now the skipper.
Semedo is, of course, in limbo regarding his future, adding pressure to Wolves to locate a long-term solution to a squad issue that isn’t feasible to be a stop-start duty.
Gomes has his own admirers and could leave Molineux in the near future, which is another reason why the Brazil international might have to take the back seat in such conversations.