Big news emerged from Wolves on Friday as Gary O’Neil confirmed that Mario Lemina had been stripped of his captaincy. It was a bold yet necessary decision by O’Neil following Lemina’s involvement in a brawl during Wolves’ clash with West Ham.
Lemina, who was handed the armband in the summer as Max Kilman’s replacement, lost his composure at the London Stadium, displaying behaviour unbefitting of a captain.
The 31-year-old has struggled to replicate his usual consistency this season, possibly weighed down by the demands of leadership. In response, O’Neil has now entrusted Nelson Semedo with the captaincy.
Semedo, a Portuguese international whose contract runs until 2025, will now lead Wolves in their fight for Premier League survival.
The club is keen to extend his stay and plans to offer him a new deal, despite some debate among fans over whether others were better suited for the role.
Lemina, meanwhile, has shown admirable professionalism following the decision.
Mario Lemina’s first words after being stripped of Wolves captaincy:
After discussions with O’Neil, Lemina accepted the decision with surprising grace. Instead of reacting negatively, the Gabon international demonstrated his character by publicly supporting his successor.
On Friday, Lemina posted a message to Semedo on Instagram, writing:
“Love my brother, you know everything. Big fan. Let’s overcome all this situation.”
The response has earned Lemina credit for his attitude, particularly given the frustrations that led to his dismissal as captain.
The decision to appoint Semedo as captain, however, has sparked discussion. Some fans believe others, like Craig Dawson or Matheus Cunha, were more deserving.
Dawson, in particular, was seen as a strong candidate, though the omission could hint at his potential departure in the summer when his contract expires. Cunha, who has shown immense promise, also had a case based on his impact at Wolves.
For Lemina, being relieved of the captaincy could prove to be a turning point. Wolves supporters largely agree with O’Neil’s decision and hope it will spur the midfielder to rediscover his best form—a level not yet seen consistently this season.
Lemina’s struggles have been evident, particularly during Wolves’ 5-3 defeat to Brentford, though his versatility shone when he filled in at centre-back against Fulham.
However, his performances in midfield have fallen short of expectations, with issues in possession and creativity highlighted by statistics.
According to FBref, Lemina’s pass completion rate has dropped from 85.8% last season, and his progressive carries have also declined.
Despite not being a natural playmaker—Andre carries that responsibility—Lemina must improve his ball retention and execution to help Wolves thrive.
With the captaincy burden lifted, there’s hope he can refocus and deliver improved displays in the second half of the season. Wolves fans will be watching closely, eager to see the midfielder rise to the challenge.
