Nelson Semedo interview: Wolves wing-back on chasing Europe under Gary O’Neil and why he loves this team

When Wolves committed to pay Barcelona as much as £36.8m for Nelson Semedo in 2020, the Portugal full-back had some work to do to prove his worth. Almost four years and 119 Premier League appearances later, Semedo's value to his team is clear.

Now 30, he is enjoying the best form of his Wolves career. An energetic presence up and down the right touchline for Gary O'Neil's team, Semedo has always had the speed and the excellent close control, but experience has added reliability to his game.

Speaking to Sky Sports inside the club museum at Molineux, he agrees that this is the best that supporters have seen of him in old gold and black. "I think that the team performance helps a lot. We are doing really well," Semedo explains.

"But, honestly, I think it is the best season that I am doing - and also the team is doing - since I am here. As you can see, it is not like one or two players are doing well. All the players are doing well. Even the players who are coming from the bench are responding."

Expectations were not high at the start of the season. Julen Lopetegui's departure on the eve of the season had many tipping Wolves for relegation amid an exodus of high-profile players as the club sought to abide by profit and sustainability regulations.

"The start was not good," acknowledges Semedo. "We did not have the time to work in pre-season. He came three or four days before the Premier League started so obviously we had a lot to work on. But we are doing well now and the team is confident."

Four defeats from the first five games reflected that early upheaval but only five teams have picked up more points than Wolves since late September. "We are working a lot during the week and putting a lot of trust in what we are doing. This is