Five potential candidates who could take the Wolves armband from the outgoing Max Kilman for the 2024/25 campaign.
Wolves are set to have their first major departure of the transfer window. After bringing in three players so far, including striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, the captain is now set to leave.
Kilman is having a medical at West Ham after Wolves accepted a £40 million bid from the Hammers.
As a result, the Molineux side will now be looking for their fourth captain in four seasons after Conor Coady and Ruben Neves departed in the previous campaigns.
Therefore, Molineux News has listed five potential candidates to take the armband for the 2024/25 season and why Gary O’Neil may be considering them.
Read more: Every official Wolves signing and departure this summer.
Craig Dawson
One of the most experienced players in the squad. Since joining Wolves in January 2023, Craig Dawson has quickly cemented himself as one of the most important players in the team.
After playing a major role in keeping the side up in the 2022/23 campaign, he continued this form into the following season under O’Neil.
While his injury cut his year short, it served to show how vital the defender is to the side, with the back line collapsing without his presence.
Dawson would seem the perfect candidate. However, after now turning 34 years old, there are questions about how long he can realistically hold a place in the starting lineup.
Matheus Cunha
A potential wildcard, since signing for the club, the attacker has shown nothing but commitment to Wolves.
Despite links to Man United, Matheus Cunha has shown nothing but loyalty to the club and has reaffirmed his desire to stay.
The Brazilian has even helped in the transfer market. Cunha managed to sway Pedro Lima to join Wolves rather than Premier League rivals Chelsea.
While it is rare to see an attacker get the armband at any club, Cunha could take on that responsibility this coming season.
Mario Lemina
Perhaps the fan favourite to take the captain’s armband, Mario Lemina has shown plenty of leadership qualities in his 18 months at Molineux.
The midfielder has become one of Wolves’ most important players and was at the heart of many memorable moments in the 2023/24 campaign.
Lemina offers plenty of experience, being 30 years old and played for European giants such as Juventus and Marseille. Unlike Dawson, he is also likely to be in the starting XI for the foreseeable future.
Read more: Where Kilman’s sale ranks on Wolves’ most expensive departures of all time.
Tommy Doyle
While Tommy Doyle may not be on the list of many fans, he will likely be a potential candidate this summer.
Throughout his career, the midfielder has had plenty of experience being the captain. Doyle wore the armband both for club and country for Man City’s and England’s youth sides.
Despite his age, the 22-year-old has a wide range of experiences, having played in Germany earlier in his career.
Doyle being so young could offer more stability with the armband. Someone such as Dawson and Lemina would realistically only hold it for a few years given their age whereas Doyle could have it long-term.
A new signing
It is not improbable to suggest that Wolves’ new captain could not yet be at the club. Over recent years, the Old Gold side has given the armband to a completely new face to varying levels of success.
Roger Johnson is the most memorable as he oversaw Wolves relegation from the Premier League in a tragic spell which would see him stripped of the armband.
Sam Ricketts would later take the mantle in League One and arguably became one of Wolves’ most important captains ever. The defender helped sort out the mess at the club and fired them back into the Championship with record points.
With the transfer window far from over, it is possible that a completely new face will be given the responsibility going into the 2024/25 campaign.