When Wolverhampton Wanderers bought Rui Patricio to AS Roma final summer season, the Molineux trustworthy could have been nervous about who can be an appropriate long-term alternative for the Portuguese goalkeeper.
The 34-year-old grew to become one of many membership’s large assertion signings once they had been promoted to the Premier League in 2018 and went on to make 127 appearances, holding 37 clear sheets within the course of.
Bruno Lage has hit the jackpot on his alternative, nevertheless, with Jose Sa impressing thus far throughout his spell on the membership.
Wolves hit the jackpot with Sa
A £6.25m deal was agreed between Wolves and Olympiacos for the switch of the Portuguese goalkeeper following Patricio’s departure final summer season and his arrival has made the Previous Gold all however neglect about their former ‘keeper.
The £29k-per-week shot-stopper made 37 appearances in his debut marketing campaign, holding 11 clear sheets as Wolves completed within the prime half of the desk.
Three additional clear sheets have adopted this season, though the membership’s goalscoring woes have continued, netting solely thrice as they sit close to the relegation zone.
Lage has gotten one of the best out of Sa, permitting him to make a seamless transition to the English recreation and this has been rewarded with a string of strong performances. His worth has additionally skyrocketed too, with CIES Soccer Observatory valuing the goalkeeper at €20m (£17.8m) – a rise of 165% in simply over a yr.
It was a superb transfer by Lage to carry him to the membership and if he continues to carry out like this, then there isn’t any motive to recommend why his worth cant enhance over the subsequent couple of seasons.
Former Previous Gold keeper Matt Murray lavished reward on Sa following a victory over Everton final season, saying:
“I’ve been actually impressed with Sa. I favored what he had carried out for Olympiacos, and thought he did very well for them, and it was fascinating to see how he got here in and stepped into Rui Patricio’s footwear.
Has Jose Sa been one in all Lage’s finest Wolves signings?
Sure
No
“He’s superb together with his ft and may be very composed, and Wolves wish to have extra possession and play with the next line, and he’s that dominant goalkeeper. I’ve been actually impressed and by all accounts from the lads, he’s a correct prime man, an actual character and good within the dressing room.”
As Wolves’ attacking choices proceed to flatter to deceive, it’s an excellent job Sa is consistently saving them from much more distress.
