Wolves have made a pretty good start to the 2023/24 season all things considered – and there are definitely few candidates for the title of ‘Player of the Season… so far’.
Gary O’Neil came in just days before the new season following the departure of Julen Lopetegui, and was tasked with selling himself to a new dressing room as quickly as possible.
He managed to do that pretty quickly, with Wolves putting in a great display against Manchester United, despite losing.
Pretty much every player has responded well to O’Neil coming in and replacing Lopetegui. They all seem to really like what he’s about.
The forwards have been especially good this season, with Hwang Hee-chan and Pedro Neto two real standouts for their goals and assists.
Hwang has been in the goalscoring form of his life this season, and the South Korean was recently rewarded with a new contract for his contributions.
Neto was outstanding before he picked up a hamstring injury at the end of October.
Matheus Cunha is also worth mentioning, with the Brazilian having been contributing goals, assists and superb pressing from the front.
But Molineux News feels there is one player in Wolves’ squad that just edges those players for the title of Player of the Season so far…
Why Mario Lemina is Wolves’ Player of the Season so far
Had Pedro Neto not got injured, we may well have been talking about him as being Wolves’ best player so far this term.
But that honour has surely got to go to Mario Lemina, who has just been an absolute warrior in the midfield.
Lemina has started 14 Premier League games this season, missing just two through suspension.
There has been some outstanding, technical football on show at times this term, but you need energy, intensity and tenacity to go along with that – and Lemina has brought those things in spade-loads.
The Gabon international is an incredible ball-winner, and is just so adept at hounding the opposition. The pressure he put on Sander Berge against Burnley was what effectively allowed Wolves to score the goal through Hwang.
But Lemina has actually shown this season that he isn’t solely about defensive work.
He’s also chipped in with a couple of goals, striking against Newcastle United and late on against Tottenham Hotspur. His goal against Spurs was brilliantly taken, and he showed that he actually has plenty to offer going forward.
Hwang, Neto and Cunha have regularly stolen the headlines at Wolves this season, with all three admittedly being absolutely brilliant.
But perhaps Wolves would not be in the position they are without their £10 million midfield general Lemina.