“Breaking: Max Kilman Reveals His Captaincy Fate at Wolves Was Sealed—No Matter What!”
Wolves completed three transfers during the summer window, including the sale of club captain Max Kilman to West Ham. Some fans were surprised by the decision, especially since Kilman would be reuniting with manager Julen Lopetegui in London.
Gary O’Neil had a high regard for Kilman, who played every minute of Wolves’ Premier League season in 2023/24. West Ham paid £40 million for Kilman, who had spent six years at Molineux.
While Kilman served the club well, many felt the fee was reasonable. The bigger concern, however, lies in Wolves’ choice not to find a replacement for him, which has strained the squad’s depth.
Kilman was not considered Wolves’ best player or the ideal captain, as journalist Nathan Judah noted. Discussing Mario Lemina’s current form, he suggested that even if Kilman had stayed, Lemina was likely to take over the captaincy.
Judah stated on the E&S Wolves Podcast that Lemina “was almost the club captain last year” due to his leadership on the pitch, implying the captaincy switch was inevitable.
While Kilman’s defensive efforts were commendable, his influence rarely extended beyond that role. This season, Lemina’s leadership has highlighted Kilman’s limitations as a captain.
Kilman had a significant role in a defense that faced challenges last season, contributing to Wolves’ 14th-place finish. However, his leadership was often overshadowed by Craig Dawson, who played a crucial role in maintaining team unity.
Dawson’s arrival and vocal presence helped solidify the defense, demonstrating the qualities expected from a captain—qualities that Kilman struggled to consistently exhibit, raising questions about his leadership credentials last season.
