Sheffield Wednesday: Carlos lavishes praise on ‘fantastic’ pro Semedo

The Owls boss has praised the midfielder’s professionalism ahead of their trip to third-from-bottom MK Dons tonight.

Semedo was a surprise omission as Wednesday battled back to claim a 2-2 draw at fellow top-six contenders Cardiff City last weekend.

Carvalhal has admitted leaving Semedo out of the match-day squad was a difficult decision but added: “Jose is an unbelievable professional and a fantastic personality.

“He wasn’t in the squad in the last game. I talked to him in the morning. I said to him ‘I didn’t sleep well because you work very well and are a fantastic professional’. These kind of things makes me a little nervous but you can’t put all the players in the team.

“Semedo just answered: ‘I am here to work for Sheffield Wednesday and you are here to make decisions so there are no problems’. When you hear this from a player, it is amazing. It means that he is a team player and a fantastic personality.”

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Carvalhal wishes every footballer had Semedo’s attitude.

“I wish all the players think like Semedo but it’s not common,” he said. “There are players like him but usually they are selfish because they want to play. There are personalities that put the club in front of their individual careers. I was like this when I played. I was a team player and I played all the time for the club. Sometimes you get lucky and I am very lucky to work with a player like Semedo.

“Jose has the same face whether he plays or not. He will probably train double after the matches if he doesn’t play. It’s important for the club to have this kind of spirit. This means you can create a strong team.”

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Carvalhal, who has ruled out wholesale tinkering in the January transfer window, is pleased midfield playmaker Barry Bannan is set to sign a new long-term contract.

“I’m very happy that the players are happy at the club and are enjoying the way the we work and play,” said Carvalhal.

“I am very happy if Barry extends his contract.

“It is very good for Sheffield Wednesday because he is a quality player.”

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