Tawanda Chirewa was handed his first start for the Wolves first-team on Saturday – and the youngster has now revealed one teammate who is constantly helping him at the club.
Chirewa was called upon against Arsenal by Gary O’Neil, who was looking to rotate ahead of some important games.
The likes of Pablo Sarabia and Mario Lemina dropped to the bench, with Boubacar Traore and Chirewa coming in.
There was also a start for Hwang Hee-chan, who had made an appearance off the bench against Nottingham Forest. He was replacing the injured Matheus Cunha.
It was a proud moment for Chirewa, who only joined the club from Ipswich Town last September.
He has worked his socks off to get to this position, but the help he’s had along the way is not lost on him – as he paid tribute to one of his teammates
Tawanda Chirewa hails Wolves teammate Mario Lemina for how he’s been with him
Chirewa has now made eight appearances for Wanderers, which is pretty impressive considering he hasn’t been at the club too long.
Undoubtedly, the size of the squad and the injuries problems O’Neil has had to deal with have helped him get a foot in the door.
But credit to Chirewa; O’Neil doesn’t have to turn to him, but clearly feels the youngster has something about him.
It was brilliant to see him starting a Premier League game against Arsenal on Saturday – and gave a very respectable account of himself. He looked better than when he has come off the bench, and looked more comfortable and as though he belonged.
Chirewa spoke after Saturday’s match, and told of the support he has had – and mentioned that Mario Lemina has been particularly good with him.
He said (via Wolves official): “Mario’s someone who I look up to for advice and he’s someone I’d ask at half-time or before the game, what I could work on. He was helping me – he gives me massive advice. Pablo, Max all gave me advice, but Pablo and Mario especially helped me today.”
Lemina the leader
It will come as little surprise to Wolves fans that Chirewa has talked up Lemina and how he has helped him a lot since coming into the first-team.
The Gabon international is very much a leader off the pitch as well as on it, and the club have absolutely struck gold with his signing.
Lemina arrived at Wolves a far more mature player than when he first came to England, and he appears to be relishing being an experienced head at Molineux.
He is adored by the fans and you can tell he is respected by all of the players. Nelson Semedo even admitted recently that he had ‘massive respect’ for Lemina.
He may not wear the armband at Molineux, but Lemina is considered a captain at this point and it must be so good to have someone like that around, both for young players and players who are a little bit older.