This season, Ruben Neves assumed the captaincy at Wolves following the surprise departure of Conor Coady.
The defender left to join Everton on loan, which certainly raised a lot of eyebrows at the time.
Neves became skipper, and he has really grown into the role as the season has progressed.
Wanderers really struggled in the early parts of the season. And at that point, Neves was really leading more through performance.
He was constantly the standout player, and his showings probably helped stop Wolves from getting cut adrift.
As the season has gone on, Neves has gotten more and more comfortable wearing the armband.
And it now to the point were is a genuinely top leader.
U21s boss James Collins has been speaking about Neves on the latest Wolves Weekly podcast. And he has detailed just how good a captain he’s been this season.
He said: “First and foremost, he’s world-class footballer. He’s as good as you get out there, and he can play for one of the top, top teams. I have no doubt about that.
“He has been solid as a rock around the building. He organises meetings with the players. When myself and Steve (Davis) were down with the first-team, he was regularly in our office, trying to help the club. Trying to get us out of the mess we were in.
“He doesn’t have to do that. He doesn’t have to do the extra, the stuff people don’t see. I’ve only been around the club the last few years, but he’s as good as you get.”
Ruben Neves seriously stepped up for Wolves this season, as Collins highlights midfielder’s brilliant leadership
These comments from Collins really do highlight just how important Neves has been again for Wolves this season.
We’ve seen him giving his absolute all on the pitch all through the season.
But clearly it hasn’t stopped there. The £16 million star has been showing leadership behind the scenes too and that’s exactly what you want from your captain.
Whatever people’s thoughts about Coady, losing him was a blow because he was a top-class leader. But Neves has stepped up to the plate.
There is a good chance Neves will leave this summer. It is known he wants to play in the Champions League again.
We’ve seen a little glimpses into potential life without him when he was suspended against Chelsea and Brentford.
But revelations like this from Collins make it clearly that he will be a major miss if he does go.