Wolves moved to bring in Craig Dawson in January – and it has so far been an inspired move by the club.
The centre-back arrived as signing number four of the window, joining for just £3.3 million from West Ham United.
It was a move that had been in the offing for months, with it being reported Dawson was keen to move back up north to be closer to his family.
It would have happened in the summer had West Ham been able to sign a replacement.
They were poised to get Jan Bednarek, but it fell through, meaning Dawson stayed.
Thankfully, Wolves kept the door open and Dawson was seemingly always keen to make the move.
He made his debut against Liverpool, scored, and was a colossus. It was clear from that game that Wolves had brought in a top player.
And it has been much of the same from Dawson since that game.
The 32-year-old has completely solidified a previously shaky backline.
Nelson Semedo and Max Kilman play either side of him, and both players look much improved. That is something Dave Edwards also believes has been the case.
Dawson seems to give off a calming aura. It’s like everyone knows that he’s going to do his job, and do it brilliantly.
That no-nonsense style has been a breath of fresh air.
Dawson’s crunching tackle on Diogo Jota in the game with Liverpool at Anfield really epitomised what he is all about. The Portuguese probably still has bruises from that hard but fair challenge.
It is hard to remember a new player at Wolves having such a huge impact.
Looking at Dawson, he just looks like a leader – and he is surely in contention to become the next captain of Wolves if Ruben Neves moves on this summer.
Craig Dawson would be a worthy recipient of the captain’s armband at Wolves
Wolves fans hope it doesn’t happen. But there is every chance Neves will leave Molineux this summer.
He was expected to go last year.
Seemingly, suitable offers did not come in for him and he ended up staying, and took the captain’s armband from the departed Conor Coady.
Neves will only have a year left on his contract in the summer and Wolves could cash in if he won’t extend.
In which case, Dawson should be handed the captaincy.
The narrative around Coady has been that he won’t be coming back to Wolves. That is actually a bit less certain now that he isn’t a regular for Everton any more. But it would still be a big surprise if he came back to Molineux. Especially considering there’s a £4.5 million buy option for Everton.
Certainly, if Neves and Coady are both not Wolves players next season, then Dawson should absolutely be the new captain.