Nelson Semedo interview: Wolves captain on Vitor Pereira’s impact and how the new manager has changed things | Football news
Wolves looked set for relegation under Gary O’Neil. Their defensive record was one of the worst in Premier League history and chaos threatened to engulf the club. Three games later, new coach Vitor Pereira kicked them out of the relegation zone.
His first two matches brought two victories without conceding a goal, the first consecutive clean sheets of the season. A late equalizer at Tottenham made it seven points out of nine. Suddenly there is talk of the revitalization of Vukovo, the mood has completely changed.
“The main thing we needed was a change,” says Nelson Semedo Sky Sports. “Vitor arrived with his staff and after three days we looked like a different team. A better team. A better version of us. We all knew we had it. But we couldn’t reach that level before.
“It all started in training. At the end of the day, it was all about the details. It took him maybe two hours to explain how he wants us to play, how he wants us to press, how he wants us to defend. Now everyone is satisfied and we continue.”
Pereira quickly won over fans who embraced him from day one, and he admitted that he was pleasantly surprised by how quickly that bond was formed. But the relationship with his players is equally important. And it came together quickly.
“He is very demanding, but he is also a very good human being. Let’s say, we had a couple of days off around New Year’s because he realized that we deserved it. He knows when to give the boys a little treat. They came back happier and with more energy.”
What did Pereira change?
O’Neil spoke of players having ‘trouble coping’ and claimed the group was ‘close to max’, but those words already seem way off the mark. Matheus Cunha is a standout, but there is quality elsewhere in this squad.
Given that his predecessor had the look of a man who tried everything, it’s worth noting that Pereira has made some smart changes. Rodrigo Gomes came on and scored his first Premier League goal. Jose Sa was sent back and saved a penalty against Spurs.
Andre, a 23-year-old Brazil international signed at the end of the summer, was set up as a problem to solve but has excelled under Pereira. His sure touch in tight spaces and willingness to fight means his partnership with Joao Gomes is starting to blossom.
Goncalo Guedes made just one start under O’Neil but scored at Leicester, starting back-to-back games for Wolves for the first time in over two years. “He is happy here and very focused. I think he is a different man now,” Semedo said.
The two have known each other for years since they were together in the B team of Benfica. “He understands the game really well and also plays on my side, so we don’t even have to talk. He’s really settled in and he’s doing really well for us.”
Another obvious Pereira twist was to return Semedo himself to his favored full-back role, moving Matt Doherty inside to play on the right of the back three where the Portuguese was deployed in the latter stages of O’Neil’s time in charge.
Despite his physicality, Doherty had never been used there before. But the Irishman was excellent in the role and it allowed Semedo to return to what he does best. “I’m high on the pitch again. To be honest, that’s where I prefer to be.”
He explains: “Doc can play center back, but that knowledge of right back helps us. It’s easy for us to communicate because he knows the moves, he knows that when I press up, he has to get to that side. That’s what makes us strong on that side defensively. “
Defensively more compact
The tightening was essential. Wolves played an effective 4-2-4 in the second half of the home defeat to Ipswich in O’Neil’s last game. The gaps were too big. Pereira made them more compact and brought back some control, just what was needed.
“We have centre-backs, wings and defensive midfielders, but we also have Cunha and Guedes as number 10s, who drop deeper, which gives us time to react when we lose the ball.
“I’m pretty sure you can see that change too. It means that even when we lose the ball, we can get it right back because we’re all close to each other.”
The expected goals against were under one in each of Pereira’s first two matches, and the wins over Leicester and Manchester United. O’Neil, and not even Julen Lopetegui before him, had ever managed to do so in back-to-back Premier League games as Wolves manager.
Can they beat Forest?
One man who did it was Nuno Espirito Santo – 21 times in fact. There is a feeling at the club that Wolves need to get back to that. Back to being hard to beat. Become a serious party again. Wolves face Nuno’s Nottingham Forest side on Monday.
Forest visit Molineux in the Champions League, a template for what is possible. “To be honest, I’m not surprised,” says Semedo, “because I know how demanding he is.” How good he is, how good his staff is. They are very good at what they do.
“We know it will be a tough game, but we should also expect a very good opponent, playing at home with a loud crowd that will push us on. We have regained the confidence we wanted to have now. I feel like we are in a good place again .”
Nuno was the main man when Semedo signed for Wolves in the summer of 2020, swapping Barcelona’s Nou Camp for South Bank of Molineux as fans sing about him. Semedo is now the favourite, but that first season was tricky.
Improvement and captaincy
“My first season wasn’t good enough. I wasn’t ready for the Premier League. I played in teams that were used to having the ball. Benfica had 70 percent of the possession. Every game for Barcelona was the same. This was a different team.
“Defending and then playing on the counterattack was quite difficult and physically strong for me. I think it took me a while to adapt, but that’s normal because this is the best league in the world. I’ve improved. Now I’m completely settled and I’m enjoying it .”
Indeed, he is now Wolves captain after Mario Lemina was stripped of the role following a row at West Ham last month. Semedo has a different mentality. “I think I’m balanced. I try not to be too emotional and I think everyone trusts me,” he says.
“The armband identifies one captain, but I want to encourage everyone to feel that responsibility to be a captain. I’ve got their backs and push them on. I think it’s a better way to bring the group together – and that’s the most important thing.”
Semedo’s future at Wolves
Now 31, Semedo certainly hasn’t lost his speed while flying down that flank. He ranks among Wolves’ fastest players, and only two players over 30 have achieved a higher top speed in the Premier League this season – Kyle Walker and Heung-Min Son.
“I still feel really good,” he insists, our conversation slightly delayed by his extra work in the treatment room. “I have to take care of my body as best as I can because I still have, I would say, five more years of football. But I feel great, to be honest.”
Where is that future? Semedo was the best player of the season at Wolves last time, but his contract expires in the summer and there is no sign of a new contract. Is he on his way out? “I wouldn’t say that. We still have six months,” he retorts.
“We have to talk to the club, see what the club wants, what I want. And see what’s better for both parties. I’ve been here for five years and it’s been very good. And I love the Premier League. So, let’s see what the future brings.”
As for Wolves’ future, Semedo is optimistic – even if they have to face Forest without the suspended Cunha. “It’s a big loss for us but we were very good in the second half against Tottenham without him.” Indeed, Wolves finally look upwardly mobile again.
They had more of the ball against United and Spurs, but there is more to their possession game under Pereira. “We still have to improve it. But then, it’s been two weeks and we’ve already had a big change. It’s getting better and better.”
Watch Monday Night Football between Wolves and Nottingham Forest from 6.30pm on Sky Sports Premier League; start at 8 p.m
