Wolverhampton Wanderers full-back Nelson Semedo has not been called up to the Portugal squad this time around.
The 27-year-old has missed out on a place in Fernando Santos’ latest squad, ahead of games against Qatar and Luxembourg.
Instead, Joao Cancelo and Diogo Dalot are in.
Semedo can perhaps count himself a little unlucky to not be called up.
Wolves have not had the best of starts to the new season, granted.
But Semedo, arguably, has been one of the team’s better performers.
MORE WOLVES STORIES
So far he’s made five appearances in the Premier League, and put in some really good displays.
He’s had a few very good chances to open his account this term. With better finishing, he could well be on three so far.
He has definitely been a dangerous outlet, but he has also been fine defensively as well.
Last season, that was one of the things people criticised him the most for.
But he’s been much improved in 2021/22 and has been good overall.
A shame for Semedo
Semedo, who is thought to have cost the club around £29 million (so far), can be forgiven for feeling disappointed today.
How he hasn’t made it in is a strange one. He made the last squad, and arguably he has been getting better since then.
Cancelo has been really good for Manchester City so far so his inclusion is fair enough.
But Dalot’s call-up is questionable.
He started Manchester United’s recent defeats to Young Boys and Aston Villa.
And last night he was absolutely ripped apart in the Champions League by Villarreal’s Arnaut Danjuma in the Champions League.
It is what it is, and at least Semedo will have the chance to recover during the break, which will be beneficial to Wolves.