‘About Nelson…’: Bruno Lage responds when asked if Benfica will try to sign Wolves captain Semedo
Wolves captain Nelson Semedo could be leaving the club this summer – and today, Bruno Lage was asked directly about the potential for Benfica to sign the defender.
Nelson Semedo is out of contract in the summer, and speculation is now starting to pick up regarding his future.
Liam Keen reported last month that Semedo was likely to leave Wolves in the summer, with the club looking to get their wage bill down.
It was then claimed that Semedo had interest from Benfica, who are Semedo’s former club.
Wolves have lost their captain in each of the last three summers and some are fearful of that happening again.
Today, Bruno Lage was asked about Semedo ahead of Benfica’s Champions League match with Barcelona tomorrow night – and gave an interesting response.
What Bruno Lage has said about moving for Wolves captain Nelson Semedo
Lage, of course, knows Semedo’s qualities well having spent 15 months as the head coach at Molineux.
As has been the case ever since he arrived at Wolves, Semedo was a regular under Lage.
The interest is therefore unsurprising.
Today, following reports Benfica are ‘eager’ to sign Semedo in the summer, Lage was asked about the full-back. The former Wolves boss would not really be drawn on the speculation, but he also did not rule anything out.
He is quoted by A Bola as saying: “About Nelson, I believe that at this moment he will support Wolverhampton and about the possibility of him being a reinforcement or not, that’s next season.
“And at the moment my focus is on what we can do tomorrow and understand very well what we will do until the end of the season. We are currently in the round of 16 of the Champions League, in the semi-finals of the Portuguese Cup, we depend on us to win the League and we have already won a title and our focus is on trying to win more titles by the end of this season.”
Semedo leaving would be a big blow for Wolves
Semedo has been a great signing for Wolves and him leaving this summer would be a blow.
He struggled in his first season, but has improved in every one since, with Semedo admitting 2023/24 was his best campaign for Wolves.
The fact he was named Players’ Player of the Season last term would further suggest that.
He does sometimes have poor outings and can be at fault positionally. But by and large, Semedo has been very dependable, and a top professional.
He’s also been very available, making 171 appearances for the club, which is an underrated quality.
Young Pedro Lima looks like a great prospect and someone who could potentially replace Semedo long-term. But losing the Portugal international could really sting.
Leave a Reply