Wolves skipper Mario Lemina believes being appointed captain will help him “clean” his name after previously being accused of having attitude problems during his career.
The midfielder was given the armband by boss Gary O’Neil last month after Max Kilman’s £40m move to West Ham.
While at Southampton, allegations of attitude problems followed him and he was given a driving ban in 2018.
But Lemina, who lost his father Mario Snr in December, is eager for the captaincy to show the person behind the player.
“He would be really happy and proud of me. He knows me better than anyone else, he knows I’ve never been a bad guy. He knows I’ve been pushing really hard to clean my name,” said the 30-year-old, who joined from Nice in 2023.
“I’m not going to say I’ve done everything the right way because I was young and really emotional, but I’ve never been a bad guy or had a bad attitude.
“If I was to talk about my career a lot of people would think I had a bad attitude. It’s never really been like that. I had some issues with some people but it’s not because I had a bad attitude.”
Lemina was given compassionate leave last December, returning to France before his father’s passing.
Kilman held up his shirt after scoring against Everton and Lemina was given a raucous reception when he made his comeback as a second-half substitute in the FA Cup win over Brentford.
It underlined his reputation at Wolves, and Lemina now feels ready to return to his best.
“I’m working really hard, I’m really positive, I put myself second and try to support everyone. That’s what the club and the gaffer likes,” said the Gabon international.
“I’m stronger mentally and as a player I feel more comfortable and more confident, and the players understand what I’m talking about with my experience from where I’ve been.”
Lemina speaks to club psychologist Martin Littlewood and has been open about his vulnerabilities, and feels his empathy will help him as captain.
“Emotionally after that [his father’s death] I wasn’t the player I was before. He [O’Neil] wants me to get back to where I was before dad passed away. I feel I’m ready. I feel stronger mentally,” he said before Saturday’s Premier League opener at Arsenal.
“What’s happening right now, I deserve it. I want to progress, even if I’m 30, as a human being, a leader and a person.
“I’ve always been like that, I always like to talk with the guys to understand where they are in their head. It’s important to get that relationship with someone if you are struggling, because a lot of things go on in your head.
“I want people to be happy, to work hard and get the best memories ever. Football goes quickly, so one day you are not going to be on the pitch any more.”
