Wolves’ defeat to Bournemouth at the weekend was really disappointing – but it was another fairly good performance from Nelson Semedo.
The star started at right-back once again, suggesting he has full trust from Julen Lopetegui right now.
And Semedo showed why that is, with a positive display for Wanderers.
The 29-year-old was heavily involved for Wolves. With 108 touches of the ball, no player in the game had more according to Sofascore. He completed 73/84 passes, giving him a completion rate of 87%.
He was able to get himself high up the pitch, and put in six crosses. Unfortunately, none of them were particularly accurate.
But he was also the only Wolves player to make at least one block, clearance, interception, and tackle.
Semedo did not have a very good first half of the season.
The former Barcelona man appeared out of sorts, and struggled to cope with opposition wingers.
But over the past few weeks, he has really picked up his level and it has to be noted.
At the end of January, Lopetegui praised Semedo for the form he had been showing. He said: “His commitment is very big in his daily work.
“He wants to improve, so we try to help him. At the moment he’s playing very well.
“I think he’s defending well, which is very important. In elite football, first of all you have to defend well and after he is to do more, because he’s a good player.”
Since those comments, Semedo has kept a fairly high level and against Bournemouth, he was great. His display was one of very few positives.
Nelson Semedo is getting back to his best for Wolves, it’s a good thing he stayed in January
Leading up to January, it was suggested that Wolves would have offloaded Semedo if the terms were right.
The £80,000-a-week star had struggled and seemingly the club were ready to hear offers.
But thankfully, none came in. Or at least, no offers that were appropriate came in.
Semedo stayed put, and has had a strong February so far.
Last season, he was one of Wolves’ best players before he picked up the first of two hamstring injuries.
He appears to be heading back to the kind of level he was showing around a year ago, and that is really good news for Wolves.