Alious Are Wolves Facing a Leadership Crisis?
Wolverhampton Wanderers have experienced significant upheaval in their squad, particularly in terms of leadership. With reports suggesting that Nélson Semedo could leave on a free transfer this summer, the club risks losing yet another captain. This would continue a trend of key departures, following the exits of Mario Lemina (sold in January), Max Kilman (sold last summer), and former leaders Conor Coady and Ruben Neves in 2023. Given the loss of so many influential voices in a short period, Wolves may be facing a leadership vacuum that needs urgent attention.
Who Can Step Up?
The Wolves squad has seen a decline in experienced leadership figures, in part due to financial decisions. Neves was the team’s main on-field leader before his move to Al-Hilal in 2023. Kilman took over as captain but left for West Ham in 2024, and Lemina, who started the current season as skipper, was unexpectedly sold in January 2025. Meanwhile, contract negotiations with Semedo have reportedly stalled, and Portuguese media has linked him with a move to Benfica. Further reducing Wolves’ leadership options, Craig Dawson—one of the more seasoned figures in the squad—was left unregistered in January.
With so many leaders departing, Wolves need players to step up. João Gomes and Matheus Cunha have become vital players, but neither is naturally vocal on the pitch. Cunha, despite captaining the team recently, was sent off against Bournemouth while wearing the armband. Goalkeeper José Sá has the experience to provide leadership but has not filled the void left by past captains. Semedo has done well since taking over the captaincy after Lemina was stripped of the role following an altercation with Jarrod Bowen in a 2-1 loss to West Ham. However, if he departs, Wolves could find themselves without a commanding figure to guide the team in crucial moments.
How Can Wolves Solve This Problem?
To address their leadership concerns, Wolves must take a two-pronged approach: recruiting experienced players who can bring stability and fostering leadership from within. Identifying players like João Gomes or Matheus Cunha who can take on greater responsibility—provided Cunha stays beyond the summer—should be a priority. Additionally, the club must establish a more consistent squad-building strategy to prevent the continued loss of key figures.
Wolves have already lost several influential leaders in recent seasons, and Semedo’s potential departure would only add to their struggles. If they fail to address this leadership void, they risk lacking direction in key moments. Whether through smart recruitment, squad retention, or developing internal leaders, ensuring a strong leadership core must be a priority moving forward.
Alious
